Go E-A-G-L-E-S! Mural Arts Bleeds Green!

Eagles Youth Partnership support has been pivotal in realizing various impactful projects across Philadelphia.  Here are a few ways we have teamed up with the Eagles to make a big difference in the lives of Philly school students:

Mural Arts’ Art Education Big Picture: For over 25 years, Mural Arts has implemented an in-school program at schools unable to offer their students any arts instruction. The Eagles Youth Partnership enabled Mural Arts to provide in-school classroom instruction to hundreds of students. Students participated two days a week in a ten-week sequential course of study in the visual arts and mural-making that culminated in producing an interior mural for the school. Mural Arts, the School District of Philadelphia, and the Eagles select a school yearly in underserved neighborhoods.  Throughout this partnership, Mural Arts has had the opportunity to work in every council district and across Philadelphia’s many neighborhoods stretching from the far northeast to south Philadelphia.

From a Prison to a Paradise – McKinley School (2004): In cooperation with the Eagles organization, Mural Arts transformed McKinley into an inviting and innovative learning environment.

Moving Towards Greatness (2013): For the mural at the William D. Kelley Public School in Brewerytown, twenty-five student drawings were chosen from student workshops to be reproduced as murals on the exterior walls. Student works included self-portraits of moving, what they want to be when they grow up, and soaring birds & butterflies representing their dreams taking flight. Flowers and vines climb and stretch throughout the design. Some flowers represent the blossoming of knowledge. There are also quotes by famous figures meant to inspire students to work hard.

Our City, Our Team (2015): throughout the fall of 2014, the Philadelphia Eagles hosted a series of paint days, during which fans and members of the Eagles organization were invited to paint portions of the 2,700-square-foot mural. The mural was installed and dedicated in spring 2015. Muralists and design partners Phillip Adams and Jonathan Laidacker created a mural that captures the feeling of excitement and anticipation that a fan feels on game day.

Philadelphia Eagles Huddle Up for Autism Drive-Thru Event (2021) – Alongside lead artist David McShane, Mural Arts created artworks at Lincoln Financial Field to support the Eagles Autism Awareness event.

Lawton School Mural & Playground Project (2023): Through the vision of muralist David McShane and Henry W. Lawton School students, the Eagles came together to create a mural and revitalize the playground for the neighborhood. Mural Arts collected the children’s drawings to create the mural designs, and the Eagles built the playground and painted the mural with the community.

“Having worked in Philadelphia for 40 years, one thing is very clear to me — public schools need beauty and hope. Our partnership with the Eagles provides these two things in abundance,” said Jane Golden, Executive Director of Mural Arts. “We started out working with the Eagles over 20 years ago. The collaboration grew year by year and has become one of the most important partnerships of my career.  Every time we call a principal and tell them they are the recipient of the Eagles school transformation project, they cry.  They feel as if they’ve won the lottery!  The Eagles do not talk about doing good work, they act on it, and the proof is found in these transformational projects that grace the facades of school buildings all across Philadelphia.”

In addition to our school-based partnership, the Eagles organization has also supported Mural Arts’ Restorative Justice Program through their Social Justice Fund, enabling Mural Arts to create public art and community engagement centered on tackling two issues of critical importance to Philadelphia — probation reform and gun violence. This support also allowed Mural Arts to continue its Restorative Justice programming for individuals impacted by the justice system through our workforce development initiatives.

And, each spring, the Eagles organization supports Mural Arts’ annual gala fundraiser Wall Ball, which brings friends and fans old and new together to celebrate art and community. We are so grateful for the Eagles’ ongoing support and their help getting Mural Arts to the end zone!

Go on the Hunt for Eagles-Themed Murals!  

With our Eagles headed to another Super Bowl, it’s only right we celebrate in style! As the Mural Capital of the World, we challenge YOU to go on the HUNT and snap a selfie in front of your favorite Eagles-themed murals across the city.

📸 Tag us and use #MuralsOnTheHunt to be featured on our social media platforms!

GO BIRDS! Let’s Hunt!