Mural Arts Institute

Established in 2017 as an initiative of Mural Arts Philadelphia, the Mural Arts Institute (MAI) is dedicated to sharing knowledge, ideas, and experiences that have shaped our approach to community centered art making with a global audience.

At its core, MAI seeks to build connections, sustain relationships, and share skills about the practices that have been instrumental in creating works of public art with Philadelphians. We work with artists, arts administrators, and community leaders across the world to align knowledge, amplify voices, empower change, and distribute resources that move us all towards a more inclusive and equitable future of socially engaged public art.

Are you looking to deepen community relationships and expand your creative practice? 

Our experienced team members, advisors, and facilitators will help you plan your next project or program, expand your mural-making expertise and co-develop strategies centering your community’s leadership.  Contact institute@muralarts.org if you are interested to learn more.

Download a menu of Customizable Learning Options

We offer learning and training focused on 

  • Designing projects or programs to achieve social impact
  • Using equitable participatory practices in public art projects and engagement
  • Structuring accessible place-and-people-based creative spaces and programs
  • Engaging with community-driven regenerative cultural practices
  • Practicing equitable reflection and documentation strategies
  • Developing and managing public/private partnerships
  • Artist recruitment, selection, and capacity building
  • Murals, mosaics, and other mural-based production techniques
  • Project management tools and guidelines

Check out our Resources or Recordings pages for the most recent case studies and tools to expand your knowledge and practices in this field.

The Mural Arts Institute offers professional development for individuals through annual training and incubator programs geared towards artists and creative leaders. Our capacity-building initiatives seek to support organizations and local ecosystems through subgrants and cross-country cohort co-learning experiences.

It’s amazing how much can be shared and sowed in such a short time, I left the incubator already wanting to come back for more.

- Ariella, 2023

 

The Mural Arts Institute is funded through the JPB Foundation and the Mellon Foundation, with founding support by the Kresge Foundation.

Public Art & Civic Engagement Capacity Building Initiative

Research & Tools

Conversations & Recordings

Institute FAQ