Home to over 4,000 murals and world-class museums, Philadelphia welcomes visitors to a fascinating world of art. Rich in history and culture, the city offers a perfect blend of classic and contemporary art through its series of colorful street murals, earning it the title of “Mural Capital of the World,” and promising a fascinating journey through its exciting art scene.
Mural Capital of the World
Philadelphia's efforts to make art accessible to all are worth celebrating. Take a stroll around Philadelphia to see the artworks that make up the city's public art museums. Thanks to Mural Arts Philadelphia, the largest public art program in the United States, you'll find thousands of colorful murals throughout the city.
The initiative began in 1984 and has grown from a simple beautification project to an internationally recognized art program. Mural Arts Philadelphia is also part of the city's larger campaign to reclaim public spaces and generate positive dialogue in the community. Residents are frequently involved in the development of Philadelphia's murals. Mural Arts Philadelphia commissions up to 100 public art projects each year. In 2023, artists painted new murals in various Philadelphia neighborhoods, including Kensington, Northern Liberties, and the gay bar district. Among these new murals is “Finally on 13th,” which celebrates the city's rich ballroom culture. “Literacy Loop” is a 10,000-square-foot above-ground mural at Farrell Elementary School, designed to promote literacy through playful learning. Some of Philadelphia's most iconic murals can be found around the Pennsylvania Convention Center in Center City.
“The Past Supports the Future” depicts a small paper crane transforming into a large, living crane and taking flight. The mural represents Philadelphia's Chinatown and its growth and future. Meanwhile, “Water Gives Life” depicts wildflowers representing Philadelphia's connection to the river and local flora. Many of the murals in the city are dedicated to Philadelphia's diverse citizens. The vibrant mural “Colorful Heritage” in West Philadelphia raises awareness of the challenges faced by men and boys of color, while “Pride and Progress” depicts the Gay Pride Festival at Center City's William Way LGBT Community Center.
Many of Philadelphia's most notable and influential citizens have also been honored with murals. A mural in Center City celebrates Edmund Bacon, the city planner responsible for preserving LOVE Park and historic homes. “Father of Modern Philadelphia” depicts Bacon looking down at the street and passersby below. “Reasons We Love Coltrane” in North Philadelphia represents musician John Coltrane and his impact on Philadelphia's jazz music scene. This is the second mural created in his honor. If there's one thing Philadelphians are passionate about, it's their sports teams.
That's why murals honoring Philadelphia's boldest legends can be found all over the city. These murals feature the World Series-winning Phillies team, the 2018 Eagles, and Sixers legends like Dr. J and Allen Iverson. Other famous murals include “Folding a Prism,” which pays homage to the Spring Garden District's history of textile production; “Wide Open” features a variety of Philadelphia themes, including brotherhood, skateboarding, and music; and “Unfold Our Flag,” a giant depiction of the American flag, created in the wake of the 9/11 attacks in 2001.
The 6,000-square-foot mural is currently one of the program's most visible artworks, located just north of Center City, between I-95 and the Benjamin Franklin Bridge. All of this and more make Philadelphia a city that truly deserves its title of “Murral Capital of the World.” Murals Arts Philadelphia is celebrating its 40th anniversary as a visionary in transformative arts initiatives and continues to help places, individuals, communities and institutions grow. The organization also hosts an annual Mural Arts Month with a unique theme each October, which will celebrate its 26th year in 2024.
To explore Philadelphia's rich public and street art, join a guided public art tour with Mural Arts Philadelphia or take a free self-guided tour using the guide available on the organization's website. Philadelphia's rich public and street art is expressed in the stunning murals painted throughout the city. Philly by Segway is another option for touring the city's vast mural collection in a sustainable way.
Beyond Murals: Public Art in Philadelphia
Philadelphia has a vibrant informal public art scene, so finding artwork isn't hard. If you're visiting Philadelphia, there are plenty of iconic artworks worth seeing, including Robert Indiana's LOVE sculpture, commonly known as LOVE Park. The sculpture marks the beginning of the Benjamin Franklin Parkway, also known as Philadelphia's “Museum Mile.” At the opposite end of the parkway is the Philadelphia Museum of Art, with the iconic statue of Rocky Balboa at the bottom of the museum steps, also known as the “Rocky Steps.”
Philadelphia's Magic Garden is a three-block museum/installation, a unique space filled with unexpected items like mirrors, bottles, and bicycle wheels, all secured in place with colorful grout.
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There's also a community of so-called “yarn bombers,” who wrap trees and street signs in colorful crochet to brighten up spaces. Keep an eye out for Toynbee tiles, plates of linoleum embedded in certain parts of the sidewalk. The mystery surrounding these tiles has become an international topic of interest since they began appearing in cities across the U.S. Wheatpaste, another form of street art popular in Philadelphia, involves creating posters and pasting them in public places, such as mailboxes, trash cans, construction sites, and light poles.
