The Porch Light Department at Mural Arts Philadelphia is seeking an artist or artist collective to lead a 9-month art project that builds community between individuals with an intellectual disability and/or who are on the autism spectrum disorder. They are looking for projects that have strong programmatic components that culminate in a permanent public artwork. This project is in collaboration with the City of Philadelphia’s Department of Behavioral Health and Intellectual disAbility Services (DBHIDS), and their ID department focuses on “offering quality support and services so individuals will have choices in their lives, meaningful relationships, and the opportunity to participate in their community as valued citizens.”

The work will unfold within a series of “signature” projects inspired by DBHIDS’s TEC Comprehensive Plan. TEC stands for addressing trauma, achieving equity, and engaging community. Currently, there is an active project at Mural Arts focused on equity, and a project that addressed trauma was already completed. DBHIDS’ goal to engage communities prioritizes “shift(ing) services to become increasingly community-based which will ensure long-term and sustained impacts of programs.” Proposals for this Employment for All themed project of connecting talent to opportunities will be considered favorably.