2024 People’s Budget Kicks-off with Neighborhood Workshops

An ongoing public art initiative produced by artist Phoebe Bachman, The People’s Budget is designed to educate and empower everyday Philadelphians to engage in the City of Philadelphia budget process

Mural Arts Philadelphia’s 2024 People’s Budget project allows Philadelphia residents to co-create, learn, empower, and engage in the City of Philadelphia budget process. Produced by artist Phoebe Bachman, the People’s Budget allows participants to learn how priorities translate into funding and advocate for the issues closest to their hearts, whether it’s quality education, accessible healthcare, safe streets, or a flourishing arts scene.

“Through the People’s Budget project, Mural Arts is democratizing the budget process, enabling Philadelphians to directly shape the city’s future through art and dialogue,” said Jane Golden, Executive Director of Mural Arts Philadelphia. “This initiative not only highlights the transformative power of public art but also empowers our community to advocate for meaningful and impactful changes in their neighborhoods. It’s not exactly a job for us at Mural Arts; it’s more like a moral imperative, and a city’s budget reflects what we  collectively value.”

“Municipal budgets are more than numbers; it is a narrative about our city’s priorities,” explains Facilitating Artist Phoebe Bachman. “It is a story of afterschool programs, accessible shelters, captivating murals, trash pick-up, neighborhood gardens, affordable transportation, and everything that goes into making Philadelphia our home.”

Inviting community engagement and participation, the 2024 project will include  three phases: neighborhood workshops, a performance at City Hall, and the Budget Office at LOVE Park.

From March through April, Mural Arts will host a series of neighborhood Budget 101 art-making workshops in collaboration with local partners. Later, People’s Budget participants will head to City Hall for a People’s Budget performance to hear from residents, advocates, and business owners about their budget concerns. From May to June, Mural Arts will continue the People’s Budget Office at LOVE Park with artist residencies and public events. Visitors can engage in hands-on activities, watch budget proceedings, and attend events covering urgent issues, including public schools, criminal justice, taxes, arts, environmental justice, parks and recreation, libraries, and more. Located at LOVE Park, 1600 Benjamin Franklin Pkwy, Philadelphia, PA 19103, The People’s Budget Office will be open May 1 – June 21, 2024.  Hours: 12 pm – 6 pm Tuesday, Wednesday, 12 pm – 4 pm, Saturday, and will be open additional days for programming.

The People’s Budget Office is a public art installation produced by artist Phoebe Bachman with Mural Arts Philadelphia. Contributors include Ricky Yanas, Sterling Johnson, Eleanor Barba, Ingrid Raphaël, Illkya Acosta, Jennifer Kates, and Erme Maula.  The project is created in partnership with the Philadelphia Revenue Project, Councilmember Kendra Brooks’ Office, LOVE Park, and Philadelphia Parks and Recreation.

PEOPLE’S BUDGET EVENT SCHEDULE:

Neighborhood-Based Workshops: March – April

From March through April, the People’s Budget hosts a series of Budget 101 workshops across the city. The workshops will provide an opportunity for Philadelphians to learn more about the budget process and speak about what they want to see funded. At the workshops, participants will contribute to a collective artwork about their neighborhood’s funding priorities.

RSVP for all workshops

Kensington
Saturday, March 30, 11:00 – 1:00 pm  |  124 E Indiana Ave, Philadelphia, PA 19134

In partnership with IMPACT Services.  Spanish interpretation will be provided

South Philadelphia
Monday, April 1, 5:30 – 7:30 pm  |  Whitman Library, 200 Snyder Ave, Philadelphia, PA 19148

In partnership with Friends of Whitman Library

Fairhill
Monday, April 8, 6:00 – 8:00 pm  |  Village of Arts & Humanities, 2544 Germantown Ave, Philadelphia, PA 19133

In partnership with the Village of Arts and Humanities

West Philly
Tuesday, April 16, 5:30 – 7:30 pm  |  Blackwell Library, 125 S 52nd St, Philadelphia, PA 19139

In partnership with the Philly Revenue Project

Nicetown
Thursday, April 11, 5:30 – 7:30 pm  |  1648 W Hunting Park Ave, Philadelphia, PA 19140

In partnership with Kendra Brooks’ Office, Triumph Baptist Church, Friends of Philly Aquatics

People’s Budget Roundtable Performance at City Hall: 

April 25, 12:30 – 2:00 pm  |  Caucus Room, City Hall, 1400 John F Kennedy Blvd, Philadelphia, PA 19107

The People’s Budget Roundtable is a performance that mimics a budget hearing with residents, business owners, advocates, and city workers, speaking to issues that matter in the proposed budget. City departments and council will be invited to witness and engage as performers ask questions, propose line items, and reflect on the positive work the city has been doing. The Caucus room in City Hall will be transformed to represent the many community conversations that led up to the event, with printed tablecloths, youth-designed postcards, and photo-collaged backdrops.

People’s Budget Office at LOVE Park: 

May 1 – June 21  |  LOVE Park, 1600 Arch Street, Philadelphia, PA 19102

The People’s Budget Office returns to LOVE Park! The office will continue to serve as a resource hub and engagement space to learn about the city budget and contribute to funding priorities. Resident artists will host weekend workshops at the office to engage people creatively in the budget. Artists in residence include Sterling Johnson, Eleanor Barba, and Ingrid Raphaël, with designer-in-residence Illkya Acosta.