Summer 2026

Exhibition Location: Display Cases on the 1st and 4th Floors (Near Council Chambers)

Deadline for submissions: May 4, 2026

In celebration of America's 250th anniversary, Creative Philadelphia and Philadelphia City Council issue a Call for Art to local photographers for a special exhibition in historic City Hall. 

Theme

Philadelphia Stories 250:  "Out of Many, One", A Photographic Journey invites local artists to explore Philadelphia's diverse cultural heritage and legacy through the medium of photography. 

The exhibition celebrates both Immigrant Heritage Month and America's semiquincentennial by asking artists to reflect on the de facto motto of America: "e pluribus unum", Latin for "out of many, one". The thirteen letters of the phrase are symbolic of the thirteen original colonies and was used during the American Revolutionary War and beyond to help launch America's story. Out of their union emerged a single nation. Today, the phrase captures the national spirit of inclusion that's exemplified by the welcoming values of our city.  For its many neighborhoods and diverse cultural communities, Philadelphia is not only the birthplace of America, it's our home. 

So, share your family's story, and the vibrant communities and places that reflect our many neighborhoods. Capture the iconic symbols and architecture of our streets; the history and ancestry, the flavors, colors, and the sights and sounds that make Philadelphia home to us all. 

We want to know not only what's captured in the photograph, but where the photograph was taken - which neighborhood or district it represents.

This call is open to the photographic medium. For consistency, we ask that each work is presented in a standard frame size of 16" x 20".

Jurors:

Joining Creative Philadelphia and City Council photographers Christopher Mansfield and Durrell Hospedale will be Sarah Stolfa, Executive Director of Tilt Institute for the Contemporary Image.

What is Art in City Hall

Creative Philadelphia's Art In City Hall exhibition program invites Philadelphia’s cultural community to present proposals to exhibit art in display cases in the public corridors of historic City Hall.

Art in City Hall is an exhibits program that transforms the public corridors of City Hall into a platform for the arts. It provides an opportunity for Philadelphia’s diverse cultural organizations  to present their artistic expressions and utilize the visual arts to amplify community voices, foster healing and community dialogue in the most important civic building in the city – The People’s Building. The program is committed to presenting a wide range of ideas and artistic explorations to showcase the important role the arts play in our communities.

Eligibility

Local nonprofits, art programs, and cultural organizations are invited to submit proposals. Collaborations between organizations and other partners, such as with local schools are welcomed, but one organization needs to lead the application process. Artists do not have to live in Philadelphia but including artists from the region is strongly encouraged. Artists can be self-taught or professionally trained.

At this time, we do not present solo exhibitions and encourage the organizations to select enough artists to utilize all the display cases in City Hall.

Exhibition Locations

15 exhibit display cases are located on the First through Fourth Floors of City Hall near the offices of the Mayor, City Council, and City Council Chambers.

Exhibition Dates

There are four exhibit opportunities year round. The calendar is usually booked up to six months or more in advance.

• May – July
• August – October
• November – January
• February - April

Exhibition Installation and Programming

Participating organizations are expected to deliver and install the exhibition and supply all exhibition hardware and printed materials. They are also expected to plan ONE educational program that complements the exhibition. OACCE may assist the partner organizations in the development and coordination of the exhibit programming, but the organization is responsible for all expenses for the events.

City Hall Hours

City Hall is open to the public Monday – Friday, 9 a.m. – 5 p.m., and closed on weekends and holidays. Visitors must sign in at the Northeast corner Visitor’s Entrance, have personal belongings checked, and follow COVID protocols.