Mural Arts Philadelphia

Mural Arts Philadelphia describes itself as the nation's largest public art program. It evolved from the Anti-Graffiti Network launched in 1984 into the Mural Arts Program, and the nonprofit Philadelphia Mural Arts Advocates was established in 1996 as a 501(c)(3) organization.^[1] It is a nonprofit working with the City, not a standard city department. The program has historically had a close relationship with city government, and its board includes ex-officio city officials.^[1]

1 Mission and programs

Its stated purpose is to "provide transformative experiences, progressive discourse, and economic stimulus to the City of Philadelphia through participatory public art."^[1] The organization reports 50 to 100 public art projects annually, more than 150 public and private partners yearly, and about 15,000 residents and visitors on tours, injecting roughly $2.7 million into the creative economy each year, according to its website.^[1] Programs include a restorative justice program with classes at SCI Phoenix and apprenticeships for people returning from incarceration, and Porch Light, which links art and behavioral health.^[2]

2 Leadership transition

Founder Jane Golden led the program since 1984 and announced in August 2025 that she would step down in 2026 after a search that began in fall 2025.^[3] The organization named Emily Mello, a museum curator and educator formerly at the Museum of Contemporary Art Chicago, as executive director effective September 1, 2026; Golden stays in an advisory role through year-end.^[2]

Mural Arts reports about 150 public and private partners each year and says its outdoor art collection draws roughly 15,000 residents and visitors on tours annually.^[1] Its board chair, Hope Comisky, a principal at Comisky Law, LLC, joined the board in 2015, according to the organization's website. The organization says it has operated for more than 40 years, which places its beginnings in the City's Anti-Graffiti Network of the 1980s.

3 Relationship to the City

Funding includes city, state, philanthropic and earned revenue; its annual budget is not summarized here; the organization reports roughly $2.7 million injected into the creative economy each year. It collaborates with Creative Philadelphia, Parks and Recreation, the Department of Prisons and DBHIDS. Because it is a nonprofit, it is governed by its board rather than the Mayor; see Philanthropy in Philadelphia.

4 Community involvement

Mural projects typically involve community meetings and neighborhood input, which may connect with Registered Community Organizations and neighborhood associations. Property owners must consent to murals on their walls. Residents can propose projects or join tours through the organization's website.

See also: Office of Arts, Culture and the Creative Economy, Civic and Neighborhood Associations, Philanthropy in Philadelphia.

References

1. Mural Arts Philadelphia, "About," muralarts.org.
2. PhillyVoice, report on Emily Mello succeeding Jane Golden at Mural Arts Philadelphia, 2026.
3. The Philadelphia Inquirer and WHYY, reports on Jane Golden stepping down, August 2025.