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.

The Illuminate the Arts Grants (ITAG) are designed to strengthen and financially uplift Philadelphia’s creative sector, especially artists and organizations rooted in communities that have been historically underfunded or excluded from traditional sources of arts support. 

A total of $1.5 million will be distributed to individual artists, small and mid-size arts organizations, and creative enterprises across Philadelphia to recognize and sustain their creative practice, while expanding access to the arts in economically marginalized neighborhoods. 

Established by Philadelphia City Council in 2021 to aid in the creative sector’s recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic, ITAG continues to invest in Philadelphia’s cultural ecosystem—supporting artists and organizations whose work enhances the city’s vibrancy, resilience, and quality of life. 

The program is administered by Creative Philadelphia in collaboration with the Illuminate the Arts Grant Advisory Committee, ensuring that funds are distributed efficiently and equitably. Applications will be accepted November 5, 2025, at 10:00 AM – November 30, 2025, 11:59 PM. 

Mid-Size Nonprofit Arts Organizations

Mid-size arts organizations (2024 operating budgets between $100,000 - $500,000) can apply for grants ranging from $5,000-$7,000.

This will be a competitive grant with more eligible applicants than the $1.5M Illuminate the Arts Grant will be able to support. Applicants can submit only one request to the 2025 Illuminate the Arts Grant.

Applicant Eligibility

Applicants must:

• Reside and operate in Philadelphia County
• Be a nonprofit arts organization or a fiscally sponsored arts organization.
• Have a mission that is focused on the creative sector
• Be in compliance with all local, state, and federal taxes, or be on an approved payment plan or can prove they are in the process of getting on a payment plan. The Philadelphia Department of Revenue offers flexible payment plans.
• Provide FEIN or fiscal sponsor information
• Provide total operating budget for calendar year 2024 and annual revenue for calendar year 2023 and 2024.
• Provide number of and demographic information on full-time and part-time employees for calendar years 2023 and 2024.

Review and Distribution

• Funding will be distributed to grantees via ACH direct bank deposits.

Prohibited Use of Grant Funds

• Funds may not be used for the purchase of new real estate property.
• Funds may not be provided to governmental entities on local, state, or federal levels.
• Funds may not be used by organizations that received support from the City’s FY25 General Operating Budget. (Does not include support from the Philadelphia Cultural Fund)

If you have any questions about applying for the 2025 Illuminate the Arts Grant, please email illuminatetheartsphl@gmail.com. If you are having issues with the Submittable website, complete this help form immediately. View Frequently Asked Questions here.

The Illuminate the Arts Grants (ITAG) are designed to strengthen and financially uplift Philadelphia’s creative sector, especially artists and organizations rooted in communities that have been historically underfunded or excluded from traditional sources of arts support. 

A total of $1.5 million will be distributed to individual artists, small and mid-size arts organizations, and creative enterprises across Philadelphia to recognize and sustain their creative practice, while expanding access to the arts in economically marginalized neighborhoods. 

Established by Philadelphia City Council in 2021 to aid in the creative sector’s recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic, ITAG continues to invest in Philadelphia’s cultural ecosystem—supporting artists and organizations whose work enhances the city’s vibrancy, resilience, and quality of life. 

The program is administered by Creative Philadelphia in collaboration with the Illuminate the Arts Grant Advisory Committee, ensuring that funds are distributed efficiently and equitably. Applications will be accepted November 5, 2025, at 10:00 AM – November 30, 2025, 11:59 PM. 

Individual artists with a total annual income of $66,850 or less can apply for a grant of $1,000 - $2,000, depending on the number of eligible applicants. Artists who claim dependents are also eligible based on the following table:
 

Use the figure from Line 15 of your IRS Form 1040 to complete this field.

Individual Artists

Individual artists with a total annual income of $66,850 or less can apply for a grant of $1,500-$2,000.  Use the figure from Line 15 of your IRS Form 1040 to determine your eligibility.  Individual artists who claim dependents are also eligible based on the following table:

This will be a competitive grant with more eligible applicants than the $1.5M Illuminate the Arts Grant will be able to support. Applicants can submit only one request to the 2025 Illuminate the Arts Grant.

Applicant Eligibility

Applicants must:

• Be 18 years or older
• Reside and operate in Philadelphia county
• Provide evidence of their creative practice prior to January 1, 2025 (documents, photos, links to websites)
• Provide completed and signed W-9, if awarded funds. A blank W-9 for completion can be obtained online.
• Be in compliance with all local, state, and federal taxes, or be on an approved payment plan, or can prove they are in the process of getting on a payment plan. The Philadelphia Department of Revenue is offering flexible payment plans.
• Provide proof of total earned income and estimated earned income from their creative practice for calendar years 2023 and 2024
• Provide proof of dependents with 1040 Income Tax Form if applicable
• Provide year of birth, basic contact information, and demographic information.

Review and Distribution

• Funding will be distributed to grantees via ACH direct bank deposits.

Prohibited Use of Grant Funds

• Funds may not be used for the purchase of new real estate property.
• Funds may not be provided to governmental entities on local, state, or federal levels.
• Funds may not be used by organizations that received support from the City’s FY25 General Operating Budget. (Does not include support from the Philadelphia Cultural Fund)

If you have any questions about applying for the 2025 Illuminate the Arts Grant, please email illuminatetheartsphl@gmail.com. If you are having issues with the Submittable website, complete this help form immediately. View Frequently Asked Questions here.

The Illuminate the Arts Grants (ITAG) are designed to strengthen and financially uplift Philadelphia’s creative sector, especially artists and organizations rooted in communities that have been historically underfunded or excluded from traditional sources of arts support. 

A total of $1.5 million will be distributed to individual artists, small and mid-size arts organizations, and creative enterprises across Philadelphia to recognize and sustain their creative practice, while expanding access to the arts in economically marginalized neighborhoods. 

Established by Philadelphia City Council in 2021 to aid in the creative sector’s recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic, ITAG continues to invest in Philadelphia’s cultural ecosystem—supporting artists and organizations whose work enhances the city’s vibrancy, resilience, and quality of life. 

The program is administered by Creative Philadelphia in collaboration with the Illuminate the Arts Grant Advisory Committee, ensuring that funds are distributed efficiently and equitably. Applications will be accepted November 5, 2025, at 10:00 AM – November 30, 2025, 11:59 PM. 

Small Nonprofit Arts Organizations

Small arts organizations (2024 operating budgets less than $100,000) can apply for grants ranging from $3,000 - $5,000.

This will be a competitive grant with more eligible applicants than the $1.5M Illuminate the Arts Grant will be able to support. Applicants can submit only one request to the 2025 Illuminate the Arts Grant.

Applicant Eligibility

Applicants must:

• Reside and operate in Philadelphia County
• Be a nonprofit arts organization or a fiscally sponsored arts organization. 
• Have a mission that is focused on the creative sector
• Be in compliance with all local, state, and federal taxes, or be on an approved payment plan, or can prove they are in the process of getting on a payment plan. The Philadelphia Department of Revenue is offering flexible payment plans.
• Provide FEIN or fiscal sponsor information
• Provide total operating budget for calendar year 2024 and annual revenue for calendar year 2023 and 2024.
• Provide number of and demographic information on full-time and part-time employees for calendar years 2023 and 2024.

Review and Distribution

• Funding will be distributed to grantees via ACH direct bank deposits.

Prohibited Use of Grant Funds

• Funds may not be used for the purchase of new real estate property.
• Funds may not be provided to governmental entities on local, state, or federal levels.
• Funds may not be used by organizations that received support from the City’s FY25 General Operating Budget. (Does not include support from the Philadelphia Cultural Fund)

If you have any questions about applying for the 2025 Illuminate the Arts Grant, please email illuminatetheartsphl@gmail.com. If you are having issues with the Submittable website, complete this help form immediately. View Frequently Asked Questions here.

The Illuminate the Arts Grants (ITAG) are designed to strengthen and financially uplift Philadelphia’s creative sector, especially artists and organizations rooted in communities that have been historically underfunded or excluded from traditional sources of arts support. 

A total of $1.5 million will be distributed to individual artists, small and mid-size arts organizations, and creative enterprises across Philadelphia to recognize and sustain their creative practice, while expanding access to the arts in economically marginalized neighborhoods. 

Established by Philadelphia City Council in 2021 to aid in the creative sector’s recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic, ITAG continues to invest in Philadelphia’s cultural ecosystem—supporting artists and organizations whose work enhances the city’s vibrancy, resilience, and quality of life. 

The program is administered by Creative Philadelphia in collaboration with the Illuminate the Arts Grant Advisory Committee, ensuring that funds are distributed efficiently and equitably. Applications will be accepted November 5, 2025, at 10:00 AM – November 30, 2025, 11:59 PM. 

Small Creative Enterprises

Small Creative Enterprises (2024 operating budgets less than $500,000) can apply for grants ranging from $5,000-$7,000

This will be a competitive grant with more eligible applicants than the $1.5M Illuminate the Arts Grant will be able to support. Applicants can submit only one request to the 2025 Illuminate the Arts Grant.

Applicant Eligibility

Applicants must:

• Reside and operate in Philadelphia County
• Have a mission that is focused on the creative sector
• Be in compliance with all local, state, and federal taxes, or be on an approved payment plan, or can prove they are in the process of getting on a payment plan. The Philadelphia Department of Revenue is offering flexible payment plans.
• Provide your enterprise's Federal Employer Identification Number (FEIN) or your Social Security Number (SSN). 
• Provide your enterprise's Business and Income Receipts Tax (BIRT) Number from the City of Philadelphia.
• Provide total operating budget for calendar year 2024 and annual revenue for calendar year 2023 and 2024.
• Provide number of and demographic information on full-time and part-time employees for calendar years 2023 and 2024.

Review and Distribution

• Funding will be distributed to grantees via ACH direct bank deposits.

Prohibited Use of Grant Funds

• Funds may not be used for the purchase of new real estate property.
• Funds may not be provided to governmental entities on local, state, or federal levels.
• Funds may not be used by organizations that received support from the City’s FY25 General Operating Budget. (Does not include support from the Philadelphia Cultural Fund)

If you have any questions about applying for the 2025 Illuminate the Arts Grant, please email illuminatetheartsphl@gmail.com. If you are having issues with the Submittable website, complete this help form immediately. View Frequently Asked Questions here.