WHEREAS, The City of Philadelphia consists of a diverse population including citizens of every age, ethnicity, religious background, income and education level; and
WHEREAS, City Hall and its public spaces are a resource that every citizen should have a right to access and enjoy; and
WHEREAS, The
Art in City Hall
program includes the use of art-exhibit display cases that occupy the common areas and hallways on the 2nd , 4th and 5th floors of City Hall; and
WHEREAS, It would be reasonable and appropriate to allow art created by high school students and inmates to be displayed as part of the
Art in City Hall
program on an equal basis with other artists; and
WHEREAS, The Mural Arts Program (MAP) was conceived in 1984 as part of an initiative aimed at eradicating graffiti throughout Philadelphia. Over the past 22 years, MAP has created more than 2,800 murals throughout Philadelphia and has engaged more than 20,000 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 City's
Mural Arts Program
has received national and international recognition for its success in beautifying neighborhoods and giving at-risk youth constructive alternatives to destructive behaviors; and
WHEREAS, Bringing the City's
Art in City Hall
and
1% for Art
programs under the stewardship of the
Mural Arts Program
could make each program more accessible to all members of the public; now therefore, be it,
RESOLVED, That the City Council of Philadelphia Calls for Hearings on the
Art in City Hall
and the
1% for Art
Programs to Explore How These Programs can be Made to Better Serve the Citizens of Philadelphia.
End