Commissioning, preserving, and sharing the outdoor art that defines Philadelphia for every generation.
Walk through Philadelphia and you're walking through a living gallery. The sculptures, murals, and monuments you pass every day didn't appear by accident. The Association for Public Art (aPA) has spent decades ensuring that great art reaches everyone, not just those who can afford a museum ticket, by commissioning new works, safeguarding existing ones, and making the entire collection accessible and understandable to any curious person on the street.
Founded as a nonprofit and headquartered at 1528 Walnut Street, aPA is the oldest organization of its kind in the United States, with a track record that spans some of the most recognizable pieces in the city's public spaces. The work goes far beyond installation. Conservation teams protect sculptures from the wear of weather and time. Educators and storytellers translate what the art means, where it came from, and why it still matters.
With a perfect 5-star reputation among those who know it best, aPA operates quietly but consequentially, shaping the visual identity of one of America's great cities. If you've ever stopped on a Philadelphia sidewalk and wondered about a statue or a mural, aPA is the organization that wants you to keep asking.
Public art commissioning sits at the core of what aPA does, bringing new sculptural and artistic works into Philadelphia's streets, parks, and plazas through a rigorous and community-conscious process. The organization works with artists and civic partners to place work that reflects the city's character and ambitions.
Beyond creation, aPA handles conservation and preservation, ensuring that existing public works survive the decades intact. Interpretation and promotion round out the mission: aPA translates the stories behind the art so that residents and visitors alike can engage with it meaningfully. A free digital guide and app, along with an interactive public art map and curated tours, put the full Philadelphia collection in the palm of your hand at no cost.
All of these services are offered by a dedicated team available Monday through Friday, 9 AM to 5 PM, from their Walnut Street offices in Center City.
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aPA commissions new public artworks for Philadelphia, conserves and preserves existing pieces, and promotes the collection through interpretation, tours, and digital tools. It is a nonprofit dedicated entirely to public art in the city.
No. The digital guide and interactive public art map are available free of charge, making it easy for anyone to explore Philadelphia's public art collection on their own terms.
The Association for Public Art is located at 1528 Walnut Street, Suite 500, Philadelphia, PA 19102. Office hours are Monday through Friday, 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM. The office is closed on Saturdays and Sundays.
aPA provides interactive public art maps and tours that help residents and visitors navigate the city's outdoor collection. Check their website at associationforpublicart.org for current offerings and tour information.
aPA works through a thoughtful commissioning process that involves artists, community stakeholders, and civic partners. For details on how to propose or participate in a commissioning project, visit their website or contact the office directly.
As a nonprofit organization, aPA welcomes community engagement and support. Visit associationforpublicart.org to learn about opportunities to connect with the organization and help sustain public art in Philadelphia.
Yes. aPA's mission and service area is specifically Philadelphia, where it focuses all of its commissioning, conservation, and interpretive efforts.
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