The People’s Budget Office: Year 3
About the Project
Imagination is key to creating a just, equitable budget that serves every Philadelphian. Over the last three years, Mural Arts Philadelphia has led this process of imagination by producing a series of creative projects about the city budget. In spring 2023, The People’s Budget Office was installed at LOVE Park, led by artist Phoebe Bachman alongside contributing artists Blanche Brown, Sam Rise, Erik Ruin, Arshayla Robinson, Maria Möller, josh graupera, Pamela Chuang, and Oscar Gresh.
The installation aimed to educate residents about the city budget and provide a platform for inquiry and advocacy. During the installation, resident artists, Erik Ruin, Arshayla Robinson, Maria Möller, josh graupera, hosted the budget office and contributed creative interpretations of the budget. Participants learned about the proposed budget through printed resources, council hearings, and convenings and were encouraged to add to an idea board of funding priorities and advocate at public hearings. During the installation, artists were invited to interpret the budget and visualize issues such as libraries, illegal dumping, art in schools, taxes and progressive revenue, alternatives to incarceration, and harm reduction. The funding priorities gathered on-site helped shape the People’s Budget Report and were shared with Philadelphia’s City Council and the City’s Budget Office.
The People’s Budget Office was produced by Mural Arts Philadelphia in partnership with the City of Philadelphia Budget Office, Councilmember Kendra Brooks’ Office, Philadelphia Revenue Project, LOVE Park, and Philadelphia Parks and Recreation. The project was led by artist Phoebe Bachman in collaboration with Blanche Brown, Root Catalyst, Pamela Chuang, josh graupera, Oscar Gresh, Maria Möller, Lili Razi, Sam Rise, Arshayla Robinson, and Erik Ruin. Additional contributors included Maia Chao, Trash Academy, and Marshall James Kavanaugh aka Dream Poet For Hire.
Learn more about the Budget
The People’s Budget Resource Center provides an up-to-date listing of events, hearings, and information associated with the Philadelphia’s City Budget process.
Over the last few years, grassroots organizations across the country have been organizing People’s Budgets that demand the city provides resources we all deserve. In Philadelphia, some organizations who are advocating for a just budget include: Alliance for a Just Philadelphia, Tax the Rich PHL, Reclaim Philadelphia.
Budget documents and reports
- Five Year Financial and Strategic Plan outlines the goals and vision for the City, as well as its revenues, spending, and performance analysis.
- Supplemental Budget Documents include infographics and updates.
- Budget in Brief summarizes the annual budget.
- Operating Budget Detail provides detailed information on each City department or agency’s operating budget.
- Six-Year Capital Program and Budget outlines infrastructure investments.
- Quarterly City Managers Report (QCMR) is a summary report on the finances and management of the City of Philadelphia.
- Overtime Spending Action Plan explores personnel costs attributed to overtime.
- Monthly Expenditure Reports outline departmental spending.