Great Art for a Great CIty: Public Art Forum Releases Mayoral Brief

  March 16, 2007

The Philadelphia Public Art Forum Advocacy Committee recently released "Great Art for a Great City, " a mayoral brief directed at the candidates running for Philadelphia mayor in 2007.  A summary is below.

To view or download the entire brief in pdf format, click here or on the image at right.

GREAT ART FOR A GREAT CITY
Why Public Art is Important for Philadelphia

Philadelphia has the largest and one of the most important collections of 

public art in the world, and the first public art programs in the United 

States. The next mayor of Philadelphia needs to promote and protect

this significant civic asset.

Public art is available for all the citizens of Philadelphia without a ticket
• Is accessible to everyone regardless of neighborhood, education,       

income, race, gender, and age
• Is located in neighborhoods throughout the city

Public art enhances the quality of life of our city for residents, workers, and visitors
• Represents a tangible commitment to the public environment
• Makes a highly desirable location to live, work, and create
• Attracts businesses and individuals to relocate to and stay in      

Philadelphia

Public art is integral to and emblematic of a world-class, great city
• Encourages tourism
• Stimulates the economy
• Provides opportunities for civic dialogue
• Initiates new ideas
• Generates community stability
• Serves as a catalyst for revitalization

Public art invigorates and creates good public spaces and gathering places
• Attracts a variety of audiences
• Contributes to vibrant community life
• Encourages use of the spaces it occupies

Public art is part of our cultural heritage
• Represents humanity’s highest aspiration as a symbol of our collective
  experience and history
• Becomes our legacy for generations to come

Public art endows public spaces with distinctive identities
• Represents beloved symbols for the city (i.e., Love sculpture by Robert
  Indiana; Clothespin by Claes Oldenburg; Cowboy by Frederic    

  Remington)
• Strengthens civic pride and identification with the city

The Public Art Forum is a coalition of public art professionals in Philadelphia. Members of the Forum Advocacy Committee include representatives from the Fairmount Park Art Association, the Redevelopment Authority Percent for Art Program, the City of Philadelphia Public Art Program, and the SEPTA Art in Transit Program.