The PRA pioneered the Percent for Art Program in March 1959, becoming the first city in the United States to create a program requiring developers to commission art as part of the development process. The PRA’s Percent for Art Program obligates developers who are building on land acquired and assembled by the PRA to dedicate at least one percent of the total building construction costs toward the commissioning of original, site-specific works of art. Since the inception of the Program, hundreds of public art have been installed in all areas of Philadelphia. Works of public art can be found in such diverse developments as high-rise commercial and residential towers, housing for families and the elderly, shopping plazas, parks, hotels, universities, schools and libraries.
Rassambleau
Year: 2018
Location: 1601 Vine Street and Courtyard, Philadelphia
Neighborhood: Center City
Weather Dogs
Year: 2016
Location: The Philly Pet Hotel and Villas, Philadelphia
Neighborhood: Eastwick
Light Matrik
Year: 2015
Location: 3601 Market Street, Philadelphia
Image courtesy of Kevin Monko Photography
Generative Luminance
Artist Name: Soo Sunny Park
Year: 2014
Location: 3737 Market Street, Lobby, Philadelphia, PA 19104
Neighborhood: University City, Images courtesy of Halkin Mason Photography
250 Miles Crossing Philadelphia
Year: 2014
Location: 780 S. 52nd Street, Philadelphia, PA
Neighborhood: University City Science Center, Photographs courtesy of Mike Levin
Goldilocks
Year: 2007
Location: Tivoli Building, 20th & Hamilton Streets, Philadelphia, PA 19130
Neighborhood: Franklintown
Plateau
Year: 2006
Location: 40th and Walnut Streets, Philadelphia, PA 19104
Neighborhood: University City
Wissahickon Reflections
Year: 1996
Location: Marriott Hotel, 1201 Market Street, Philadelphia, PA 19107
Neighborhood: Center City
Connections
Year: 1992
Location: Between 18th & 19th Streets and Franklintown Boulevard
Images courtesy of James Fennell
Clothespin
Year: 1976
Location: 15th and Market Streets, Philadelphia, PA 19107
Neighborhood: Center City
PolyVine
Year: 2016
Location: Folsom Powerhouse, 17th & Folsom Streets, Philadelphia
Neighborhood: Francisville
Light Play
Year: 2016
Location: Broad & South Streets, Philadelphia
Neighborhood: Center City, Photographs courtesy of Zivadin Katanic
Sky Terrain
Year: 2015
Location: 11th Street & Montgomery Avenue, Philadelphia
Image Courtesy Rebecca Rutstein and Bridgette Mayer Gallery, Philadelphia, PA
Blueprint
Year: 2014
Location: 3737 Market Street, Lobby, Philadelphia, PA 19104
Neighborhood: University City
250 Miles Crossing Philadelphia – Documentary Screening
Year: 2015
Location: The Rotunda, 4014 Walnut St., Philadelphia, PA 19104.
Neighborhood: University City Science Center, Photographs courtesy of Mike Levin
Wave Forms
Year: 2007
Location: 34th & Chestnut Streets, Philadelphia, PA 19104
Neighborhood: University City
Open Air Aquarium
Year: 2003
Location: Columbus Boulevard (Dockside 717)
Neighborhood: Delaware Waterfront
World Park: Orders and Perspectives
Year: 1995
Location: Marriott Hotel, 1201 Market Street, Rear, Philadelphia, PA 19107
Neighborhood: Center City
Split Button
Year: 1981
Location: Locust Walk between 34th & 36th Streets, Philadelphia, PA 19104
Neighborhood: University City
Three Bears
Artist Name:: Joseph Winter
Year: 1966
Location: Three Bears Park, Delancey Street between 3rd & 4th Streets, Philadelphia, PA 19106
Neighborhood: Society Hill
The Percent for Art program encourages redevelopers to conceive of innovative applications for public art, and to create work that engages the public and challenges them to think about their surroundings in new and exciting ways. In addition to the tradition mediums of public art, developers can also commission projects that take less conventional forms, like community, arts and culture-based public programs.