Over the last three years, Mural Arts has produced three public art projects about the city budget. These projects aimed to increase public awareness through popular education on the city’s budget process and offer a platform for residents to share what the city should fund. Artistic outcomes included Quilts handmade by residents across the city showing priorities for the budget, postcards to city council members, a People's Budget Festival, a series of People's Budget posters wheat-pasted across the city, and most recently the People’s Budget Office at LOVE Park. The goals of these projects is to advocate, negotiate, collaborate, and dream of a city budget that is more just, equitable, and sustainable.

Read more about previous projects!

Now we invite artists to join us again for the FY25 Budget cycle!

From May to June, the People's Budget Office will open near city hall as a space for city residents to co-create the People's Budget. We intend for the People's Budget Office to be an accessible location for residents to learn about the budget from city officials, everyday Philadelphians, and grassroots groups.

Artists, Researchers, and Activists are invited to participate in two-week residencies during the installation, visualizing and re-imagining the budget by creating new artwork. Participants can apply as individuals or as a collaborative team. During their residences, selected residents are asked to participate in city wide workshops, host one public event at the People’s Budget Office (workshop, teach-in, performance), attend a roundtable hearing at City Hall, and contribute something lasting to the People's Budget Office. Before the residency, residents will need to attend a teach-in on the city budget and research their topic area. 

The project is created in partnership with the City’s Budget Office, Councilmember Kendra Brooks’ Office, and Philadelphia Revenue Project. The City’s Budget Office will host teach-ins on the budget process and provide important details about the proposed budget. Additionally, they will serve as a liaison to other offices as needed.