People’s Budget Office

Artist Phoebe Bachmman faciltiates a Budget 101 event in Kensington with Impact Services. Photo by AK

Philadelphia’s city budget is more than just numbers—it’s a reflection of our city’s values and priorities.

It determines what gets funded, who benefits, and reveals what is overlooked. To build a truly inclusive and thriving city, we must first imagine it. For five years, the People’s Budget Office and Mural Arts Philadelphia have used creativity to make the budget process more transparent, accessible, and playful. Led by artist Phoebe Bachman, the project invites residents to learn about the city budget, advocate for their priorities, and imagine a more equitable Philadelphia.

From March to June, we host Budget 101 & 201 workshops, breaking down the budget process and exploring key issues like safety, taxes, and education. In April, we opened our People’s Budget Office at LOVE Park, an immersive installation and learning space that fosters inquiry and advocacy. The Office also serves as a creative hub for artists-in-residence, who interpret the budget through participatory artworks.

This year, we are expanding the People’s Budget Office with a public survey and a new website to collect and visualize residents’ priorities. We are also embracing the city as a stage, developing a large-scale fall event to continue reimagining the budget process—laying the foundation for a truly participatory system that reflects the needs of all Philadelphians. Here is a recent blog about the project. The People's Budget does this collaborative work though partnerships with: Alliance for a Just Philadelphia, Committee of Seventy, the Offices of City Council Members Cindy Bass, Jamie Gauthier, Kendra Brooks, Nicolas O'Rourke, and Rue Landau, LOVE Park, Office of Community Empowerment and Opportunity, PACDC, PA Youth Vote, Philly Student Union, Resolve Philly, and the Village of Arts and Humanities.

FUNDERS: William Penn Foundation and City of Philadelphia