Directing the Commissioner of Public Property to rely upon the recommendations of the Recreation Department's Mural Arts Program to operate the City's Art in City Hall Program, under certain terms and conditions.

WHEREAS, The Mural Arts Program (MAP) was conceived in 1984 as part of an initiative aimed at eradicating graffiti throughout Philadelphia. Over the past 17 years, MAP has created more than 2,000 murals throughout Philadelphia and has engaged more than 12,000 young people in pursuit of its mission of providing Philadelphia's youth and communities with hope through art; and

WHEREAS, MAP's art education programs, offered at 23 sites including schools, recreation centers, homeless shelters, detention centers and cultural institutions, expose young people to the historical tradition of mural art as well as to different careers that draw on the skills associated with this craft; and

WHEREAS, The Department of Public Property operates the Art in City Hall Program, and has done such for several years by presenting a mixture of artists that include children from the Philadelphia School District; now therefore,

THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PHILADELPHIA HEREBY ORDAINS:

SECTION 1. The Commissioner of Public Property shall, subject to his or her discretion regarding appropriate placement, content and space utilization, manage and operate the City's Art in City Hall Program in accordance with the recommendations of the Recreation Department's Mural Arts Program.

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