How Philadelphia Tackled Its Graffiti Problem Through Public Art

When I was walking through Philadelphia a little over a year ago on a cold January day, there was something different about the city that I couldn’t put my finger on. Sure, the architecture was markedly different, and there were historical sites on nearly every block, but there was something else. When I came back this year during Spring Break, I realized what was different: I was surrounded by art.

Don’t get me wrong; I realize how vapid this realization is. There are many cities with great proportions of public art. But Philadelphia was different. Here you could find entire sides of buildings decked out with vibrant murals, either abstract or commemorative, within less than a block of each other. And another key distinction: all of these murals were funded and accomplished by Mural Arts Philadelphia.

Established in 1984, Mural Arts Philadelphia was initially a part of the Philadelphia Anti-Graffiti Network(it has since been transferred to the Department of Recreation). While the initial goal was to cover up graffiti with art, the work that MAP does now encompasses a wide range of services. They now have programs that promote art education for students(Art Education), healing for those who struggle with mental health issues(Porch Light), and learning/skill acquisition for current inmates, probationers, and parolees(Restorative Justice). As of 2016, the program had created over 3,700 public works of art. Additionally, in certain parts of the city murals are numbered so that visitors and Philadelphians alike can go on their own walking mural tour.

What struck me the most about this initiative, is how effectively it permeates the city. Philadelphia itself is now a free art museum. And for students who are not normally exposed to art, or perhaps do not have the opportunity to become engaged in art, seeing it right around the corner from where they live, or participating in the creation of a public mural will certainly have a great impact on their life.