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socially-engaged public art practices
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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 Common Language
Check out this blog and learn how Ukrainian artists reflect on the importance of creative exchange and art’s ability to advance social wellbeing as a result of a year long exchange with Mural Arts.
Survey for New Artist Trainings
We’re planning professional development for Philadelphia Artists and need your input. Our Artist Forum held on October 17th was dedicated to sharing out Mural Arts’ and Creative Philadelphia’s most recent offerings. Whether you attended the forum or missed out, we still want your opinion on what training & workshops we are offering. This survey includes what days and times these free workshops will take place. Share your voice and thoughts by filling out this survey today! Our survey closes next Friday, November 1st and announcements will follow shortly afterwards
Approaches to Community Engagement for Artists
Wednesday, January 29 | 5:30 - 8pm | Parkway Central Library | Room 108 | 1901 Vine Street Philadelphia, PA 19103.
Join us for a dynamic workshop exploring how artists can connect with and impact their communities through public art. This workshop is a collaboration between the Mural Arts Institute and Creative Philadelphia’s Public Art, How to Start professional development series for artists. Hear about the integral role of community engagement in public art projects commissioned by Creative Philadelphia and Mural Arts and learn from seasoned arts administrators who have supported artists to successfully engage with diverse audiences through their work. Develop your own innovative approaches to community engagement in breakout groups, share your own experiences, and network with like-minded creatives. Whether you're a visual artist, artist administrator, or community organizer, this event is sure to inspire ways for you to make a difference in your community through a collaborative public art project.
The Routledge Handbook of Urban Cultural Planning
This newly released book marks the most ambitious effort to survey the field and current practice of urban cultural planning to date.
The Routledge Handbook of Urban Cultural Planning features 40 original contributions from leading thinkers and practitioners from organizations including the World Cities Culture Forum, National Endowment for the Arts, Grantmakers for the Arts, Global Cultural Districts Network, Inter-American Development Bank, and the Cities of Mexico City, London, New York, Bogotá and Toronto. And it includes policies, projects and precedents across six continents – from Philadelphia and Austin to Kathmandu, Johannesburg and Melbourne. Mural Arts Executive Director, Jane Golden, has contributed a chapter to this book.
Learning Together: A Reflection on the PACE Initiative Free to Download
The MAI will share Learning Together: A Reflection on the Public Art & Civic Engagement Capacity Building Initiative, 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 of Color.Find the video or the 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
