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Dedicated to advancing
socially-engaged public art practices
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Who we are
As part of Mural Arts Philadelphia , the Mural Arts Institute (MAI) is dedicated to sharing knowledge, ideas, and experiences that have shaped our approach to community centered art making. We work with artists, arts administrators, and community leaders across the world to align knowledge, amplify voices, empower change, and distribute resources that move us all towards a more inclusive and equitable future for socially engaged public art.
As part of Mural Arts Philadelphia , the Mural Arts Institute (MAI) is dedicated to sharing knowledge, ideas, and experiences that have shaped our approach to community centered art making. We work with artists, arts administrators, and community leaders across the world to align knowledge, amplify voices, empower change, and distribute resources that move us all towards a more inclusive and equitable future for socially engaged public art.
MAI Spotlight
A Conversation With Dave McShane
A conversation with Dave McShane, who from 1995 to 2025 has created more than 80 murals and applied more than 4 miles worth of paint over his 30 years at Mural Arts Philadelphia.
Artist Spotlight: William Estrada
We've been highlighting the artist participants in the Strength through Solidarity Co-Learning Initiative. Check them out!
Artist Spotlight: De’von “Divine” Downes
We've been highlighting the artist participants in the Strength through Solidarity Co-Learning Initiative. Check them out!
Artist Opportunities
We are committed to providing artists with ongoing access to creative opportunities that support their growth, collaboration, and professional development. Our open calls, requests for proposals (RFPs), and requests for qualifications (RFQs) ensure that artists at all stages of their careers can engage in meaningful projects and expand their practice. Explore the latest opportunities here!
Artist Spotlight: kolpeace
We've been highlighting the artist participants in the Strength through Solidarity Co-Learning Initiative. Check them out!
Learning Together: A Reflection on the PACE Initiative Free to Download
"Learning Together: A Reflection on the Public Art & Civic Engagement Capacity Building Initiative", is a comprehensive evaluation on the PACE initiative that ran from 2020-2023 authored by Congruence Cultural Strategies. More than just a report, this expansive document is a resource for funders, organizers, and arts administrators with recommendations for planning their grantmaking and programs in support of artists & communities. Find the videos, case studies, and this publication in our online library.
Featured Artists
Arthur Haywood
Limitless Aspirations
Tulsa, OK
Arthur Haywood’s paintings highlight human potential through a fantastical lens. He creates murals internationally in addition to cover and interior art for books and magazines. Creating fantasy art to inspire
Eva Wu
Worm World
Philadelphia, PA
Eva Wu is a multimedia artist based in Philadelphia for the past decade. A versatile artist, their bold works span moving image, social practice, interactive installations, and collaborative projects. They
Martolao (Martha O’Connell)
Seeing you through the layers of time
Philadelphia, PA
Martolao (Martha O'Connell) is an artist living and working in Philadelphia. Drawing is her best form of communication. Through her large scale drawings and murals, she explores memory, the connections
Eric Okdeh
Family Interrupted
Philadelphia, PA
Philadelphia based muralist and glass artist, Eric Okdeh began creating public art in 1998. After receiving his BFA in painting from Tyler School of Art, Eric chose to focus on
Molly Crabapple
No Borders
Philadelphia, PA
Molly Crabapple is an artist and writer whose inspirations include Toulouse Lautrec, Diego Rivera and Goya’s ‘The Disasters of War.’ She is the co-author of Brothers of the Gun, an
Rebecca Rutstein
Convergence
Philadelphia, PA
Rebecca Rutstein is a multidisciplinary artist whose practice bridges art, science and technology. For over 20 years she has created painting, sculpture, interactive installation and public art inspired by the
