Katharine Houghton Hepburn Center Internship:

The City of Philadelphia Mural Arts ProgramSpecial Projects Intern

Kate ElliottSummer 2012

My Role:Special Projects Intern

Assistant to Netanel Portier, Project Manager, and Judy Hellman, Director of Special Projects.

Tasks included: finance management, file maintenance, outreach to community members, creating flyers, and assisting in leading paint day events (and sometimes painting, too).

3-day off-site research project, and on-site throughout the summer, examining the historical and agricultural background of a specific street in Philadelphia for an upcoming event.

Assigned Projects

Expected Completion Date: October 2012Artist: Social Impact Studios & Eric OkdehLocation: Archworks Building, 125 North 8th Streethttp://muralarts.org/howwefish

How We Fish: A Mural About Work

Expected Completion Date: October 2012Artist: Cesar ViverosLocation: 4241, 4248, and 4428 Frankford Avenue, and 4122-50 Kensington Avenuehttp://muralarts.org/explore/projects/imagining-frankford

Imagining Frankford

Research, finances, community outreach, site visits, paint days, and so forth! I worked behind-the-scenes with the

Project Manager and saw first-hand the various steps it takes to make a mural.

Takeaways

A deepened respect and appreciation for the commitment and leadership of the Mural Arts staff and their passion for art, civic engagement and community life. 

Project coordination, technical skills.

Logistics -  city related guidelines for public art.  Field research.

Overview of operational and program complexities of running a non-profit.

A broader exposure to the diverse cultural communities of Philadelphia and the network of local artists.