Philadelphians to Vote on Permanent Arts and Culture Office on Election Day
The proposed ballot measure would ensure that the office is immune from administrative overhauls.
Philadelphians can help establish a permanent arts and culture office in their city this Election Day, November 3.
The ballot measure would ensure that Creative Philadelphia, the name of the arts and culture office under Mayor Cherelle Parker, is immune to overhauls from current or future mayoral administrations. Since its establishment by Mayor Wilson W. Goode in 1984, the office has delivered grants to artists, managed public arts spaces, and operated free cultural events in the city.
Yet it has also been subject to the different whims and policies of a spate of mayors. If passed, the measure would ensure the office has a permanent standing in city government, along with the role of Chief Cultural Officer, a position currently held by performing artist and educator Valerie V. Gay.
"Theoretically, you could rescind the executive order and the legislation would cease to exist," Benjamin Wilcox, the communications director for Philadelphia Councilmember Isaiah Thomas, who proposed the ballot measure, told Hyperallergic in a phone interview. "This initiative would make the office permanent and install it in the city charter."
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