Mural Arts Philadelphia is partnering with industry sponsors and the city government to incorporate art and science in community and education. Called the STEAM Mural Initiative, this three-year project infuses art to STEM (STEAM) education through three main project components: youth programming, public art, and public engagement.
Some preliminary work has already begun. A large exterior mural and an interior cafeteria mural in two Philadelphia high schools are set to finish this year. Classes, workshops and coordinated paint days have also provided opportunities to actively engage in the molding of art into STEAM.
Next projects on the list include 6 to 8 murals in two more high schools, in which youth will get to design and work alongside on-site teaching artists. One key highlight will be a high-visibility, biotechnology-themed mural at a major city center. A portion of funding will also continue to go toward classes and after-school programs.
The organization leading the charge, Mural Arts Philadelphia, designs programs and projects that engage over 25,000 people annually. Their supporting sponsors include local biotechnology companies including CSL Behring, Janssen Pharmaceuticals, and Rockland Immunochemicals, as well as a biomedical non-profit organization, SAPA-GP.
The initiative will materialize in time for the upcoming 2019 BIO International Convention, which is expected to draw as much as 16,000 attendees from 76 countries to the city. The conference, which aims to grow the global biotech industry, represents members of biotechnology companies, academic institutions, state biotech centers and related organizations.
With industry collaboration and engagement with students and the local community, the STEAM Initiative will hopefully create a dynamic space for youth to envision a colorful future in biotechnology and other STEAM fields.
Image: "Micro to Macro," a mural painted at Morton McMichael School in Philadelphia in 2014, features a universe theme © 2014 City of Philadelphia Mural Arts Program / Ben Volta. Image courtesy of Steve Weinik.