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PHL Arts & Culture Voter Guide

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About the PHL Arts and Culture Voter Guide

In this voter guide, you will find answers from candidates for the 100th Mayor of Philadelphia taken from a wide range of sources, including: PHL Arts Mayoral Forum hosted by the Greater Philadelphia Cultural Alliance; the Build Philly Forum; Mayoral Forum on the Performing Arts and Cultural Economy, hosted by the Philadelphia Orchestra and Kimmel Center, Inc., in partnership with City & State Pennsylvania; Philadelphia Mayoral Candidates Forum on Hospitality & Tourism by ​​Pennsylvania Restaurant & ​Lodging Association. You will also find answers from the candidates for the City Council election from a questionnaire sent out by the Greater Philadelphia Cultural Alliance. In addition, as more guides are created and more forums happen, we’ll continue to update this page regularly.

Answers have been slightly edited for clarity and adjusted when audio from forums was inaudible.

Mayoral Candidate Question Text

The questions found in this voter guide come from a wide range of sources, including the Build Philadelphia Forum; Mayoral Forum on the Performing Arts and Cultural Economy, hosted by the Philadelphia Orchestra and Kimmel Center, Inc., in partnership with City & State Pennsylvania; Philadelphia Mayoral Candidates Forum on Hospitality & Tourism by PRLA; and the PHL Arts Mayoral Forum hosted by the Greater Philadelphia Cultural Alliance.

From the PHL Arts Mayoral Forum hosted by the Greater Philadelphia Cultural Alliance: 

  • On Art Programs Reducing Juvenile Violence: The author Ron Kipling Williams said, “Even those who have facilitated solid, transformative community work…have failed to recognize that a fundamental way to curb juvenile violence and incarceration is to create sustainable pathways through art institutions.” In what ways do you believe that statement is or isn’t true and would you make this happen here?
  • On Creating an Artist Bill of Rights: Would you consider putting in place an individual artist bill of rights?
  • On Creating Partnerships: What partnerships are you going to leverage, or create, to bring some financial stability or to bring banks in to create instruments for stabilizing the financial wellbeing of artists?
  • On Creative and Performing Arts Being a Luxury or Essential: What is your attitude about the creative and performing arts? Do you believe? It's a luxury, or is it essential?
  • On Ensuring Support Beyond Center City: Imagine that you were elected major. What will be the first thing you will do or change to ensure support for the arts and culture beyond Center City?
  • On Funding Equity: What will you do to ensure more equity/any equity in the way the City funds arts organizations?
  • On Influencing Positive Outcomes: Can you please provide us with a specific example of how you feel the creative and performing arts can influence positive outcomes for some of the major issues in the city?

From the Philadelphia Mayoral Candidates Forum on Hospitality & Tourism Candidate Questionnaire Published by PRLA: 

  • On Ensuring Sustained Funding: Arts and Culture was also one of the hardest hit industries in the pandemic. Please describe how you would ensure sustained funding and elevation of the sector within the Mayor’s Office to bolster the important industry now and for the future.

From the Mayoral Forum on the Performing Arts and Cultural Economy, hosted by the Philadelphia Orchestra and Kimmel Center, Inc., in partnership with City & State Pennsylvania:​

  • On Making a Cabinet Level Post:  In 2016, the Office of Arts, Culture and Creative Economy was placed under the Managing Director. Do you pledge tonight to make a cabinet level post that is responsible for these issues? And if so, more specifically, what are three items on a CV/resume for that official? 
  • On Supporting 2026: There are going to be a lot of visitors to this city in 2026, we’re expecting the World Cup, the MLB All-Star game, America’s 250th Anniversary. What will you do in month one, January 2024 to begin planning and getting people excited to come here?

From The Kids Campaign Questionnaire: 

  • On Parks, Rec Centers, and Libraries: How will you, as Mayor, make sure every neighborhood has great rec centers, parks, libraries, safe places, and afterschool and summer programs?

 

Candidate Bios and Answers

To view a candidates full response to questions on arts and culture, click their name below. Biography information for each of the candidates was compiled from reporting by The Philadelphia Citizen.

Democratic Candidate for Mayor: Former Council Member Cherelle Parker

Republican Candidate for Mayor: Former Council Member David Oh

If a candidate doesn’t have an answer on a specific topic/question, it is because they did not participate in the forum/questionnaire in which it was asked.

GPCA Mayoral Platform

The Greater Philadelphia Cultural Alliance has announced its 2023 Mayoral Policy Platform in advance of the election of the 100th Mayor of the City of Philadelphia in November. Advocating that the arts matter in Philadelphia and serve as a driving force in voter turnout, the Cultural Alliance’s policy platform is rooted in the fundamental belief that arts and culture in Philadelphia is an undervalued and underleveraged asset that deserves greater public investment. The Cultural Alliance is proud to present its policy platform in partnership with arts organizations across Philadelphia, working with the Philadelphia Cultural Task Force, Philly Culture United, and other community partners and leaders to articulate the arts priorities presented in the platform.

To foster the growth and development of this critical industry, the Cultural Alliance calls on the next mayor of Philadelphia to:

  • Establish a permanent Department of Arts, Culture, and the Creative Economy for the City, which will be led at the Cabinet level by a highly qualified, forward-looking, and influential leader.
  • Pursue innovative strategies – beyond the imposition of a new tax – to ensure robust funding for the entire arts sector and consistent support for the Department of Arts, Culture and the Creative Economy, the Philadelphia Cultural Fund and arts programs/organizations affiliated with the City of Philadelphia.
  • Develop an integrated arts plan, rooted in economic, workforce, entrepreneurial, and community development strategies, that will be implemented across City agencies/departments to stimulate economic recovery, enhance urban livability, and reshape the vitality of Philadelphia.
  • Prioritize policies and programs that recognize the artistic capital generated by artists, performers, creative entrepreneurs, and other creatives and allow them to thrive in Philadelphia.
  • Showcase Philadelphia’s arts and cultural assets in our 250th Anniversary celebrations by supporting a brand-building campaign, establishing Philadelphia as a global hub for arts and culture in 2026 and beyond.

View and download the platform PDF.

Mayoral Forum Videos

PHL Arts Mayoral Forum | March 30, 2023

Watch the recording of Philadelphia's mayoral candidates discussing the issues facing the city's arts and culture sector on March 30, 2023 at Taller Puertorriqueño. 

 

The Mayoral Candidates Forum on Hospitality & Tourism 

Presented by: The Pennsylvania Restaurant & Lodging Association, The Philadelphia Convention & Visitors Bureau, Visit Philadelphia, The Pa. Convention Center, The Greater Philadelphia Hotel Association and the Philadelphia Visitor Center.

Moderated by 6abc's Sarah Bloomquist. All of the candidates who had declared at the time of the forum were invited. 
 

 

City Council Candidate Question Text

City Council, Philadelphia’s 17-member legislative body, enacts bills by majority vote, which are then signed into law by the mayor, who is also empowered to veto them. But Council can override a mayoral veto with a two-thirds vote. Council also holds hearings. Of the 17 Council members, seven are elected “at-large” (by voters from throughout Philadelphia) and 10 from districts. Of the seven at-large members, no more than five can be from the political party with the largest number of registered voters in the city. There are no party restrictions on district members. All members must be at least 25 years old, be U.S. citizens and residents of the City for at least one year. (District members must have lived in their districts for a year.) Terms are four years, and there are no term limits. Per city records, the Council president’s salary is $179,167. Members’ salaries begin at $142,000. (https://seventy.org/philadelphiaprimary-voter-guide/candidates-for-city-council) 

The November 7 ballot includes 5 At-large and 10 District seats. The questions were as followed:

  • How will your office support arts and culture organizations as well as artists in Philadelphia?
  • What strategies will you support and what partnerships will you leverage to support the financial well-being of the artists and arts organizations who comprise the lifeblood of Philadelphia's creative sector?
  • What will you do to ensure more equity in the way the City funds arts organizations? 
  • Can you please provide specific examples of how you feel the creative and performing arts can influence positive outcomes for some of the major issues in the city? 
  • Visitors will be coming to Philadelphia in 2026, for the World Cup, MLB All-Star game, and America’s 250th Anniversary. What will you do in January 2024, the first month of the new legislative session, to begin planning and coordination for residents and future travelers?

 

City Council Bios and Answers

To view a candidate's full response to our questions on arts and culture, click their name below. Biography information for each of the candidates was compiled from reporting from www.rueforphilly.com, www.murray4phl.com and the Philadelphia City Council Website. Council candidates not included here did not respond to our questionnaire — candidates can reach out to advocacy@philaculture.org to request to be added to this page. 

Rue Landau (At-Large Democrat)

 ​​Landau started her career as an activist and housing organizer working on the frontlines in the fight for economic justice—demanding access to affordable housing in Kensington and organizing to provide social services during the early years of the HIV/AIDS epidemic as an active member of ACT UP, Kensington Welfare Rights Union (KWRU) and Women’s Health Action and Mobilization (WHAM!) Rue served as the director of both the Philadelphia Commission on Human Relations and the Fair Housing Commission, the city’s civil rights and housing enforcement agencies. During her 12-year tenure, she transformed the agencies into national models for government and community engagement, social justice, and equitable opportunity. 

Drew Murray (At-Large Republican)

In 2011, Murray became a Board Member of the Logan Square Neighborhood Association, as well as the President of the Friends of Coxe Park. As a Board Member, Murray helped start an annual school fair whose purpose is to demonstrate to young parents that there are numerous educational opportunities available to young children in the City of Philadelphia. From 2015 to 2019, Murray served as President of the Logan Square Neighborhood Association. Murray serves as Chair of the Philadelphia Crosstown Coalition, is a Board Member of the Center City District, is a member of the Finance Council of the Cathedral Basilica of Saints Peter and Paul and is the leader of Philadelphia's 15th Ward. 

Jamie Gauthier (District 3)

Jamie R. Gauthier represents West and Southwest Philadelphia as the 3rd District City Councilmember. Since assuming office in January 2020, Councilmember Jamie Gauthier has fought for her constituents’ right to live with dignity and remain in the neighborhoods they’ve called home for decades. She is the only elected official in the City of Philadelphia with a planning degree, offering her a unique perspective on a range of social and economic issues.

Quetcy Lozada (District 7)

Quetcy M. Lozada was born and raised in the Hunting Park section of Philadelphia and is the proud mother of two amazing children Alexis Nicole and Jaime Jr. A life-long resident of the 7th District, including homes in Juniata Park and the St. Hugh’s community in Fairhill, Quetcy is currently residing in the Northwood section of the city.

Digital Marketing Tool Kit

Join the Greater Philadelphia Cultural Alliance [before and on November 7, 2023] in posting on social media about the need for our 100th Mayor to prioritize arts and culture! Your support could look like changing your organization’s social media banners or emailing an invite or save the date to your network! For more ideas on how to spread the word on social media, you can look below at our Social Media Toolkit.

Download email graphics on Google Drive

&

Find Email Language in our Digital Marketing Toolkit

 

Social Media Toolkit

Join the Greater Philadelphia Cultural Alliance [before and on November 7, 2023] in posting on social media about the need for our 100th Mayor to prioritize arts and culture! We want to elect a #ArtsMayor4Philly -- Your support can look like a video, photo or something else! Get creative -- highlight your or your organization’s work or download one of our graphics below. Make sure to tag us at @philaculture

TAG US ON SOCIAL MEDIA CHANNELS: 

Twitter: @philaculture

Instagram:@philaculture

LinkedIn: Greater Philadelphia Cultural Alliance 

Facebook: Greater Philadelphia Cultural Alliance 

Hashtag: #ArtsMayor4Philly

Share about the PHL Arts Mayoral Forum on your social media platforms:

Download these graphics to show your support for the campaign:

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Voter Information

 

Every Voice, Every Vote

We are proud to serve our arts and culture community as a participating organization in the Every Voice, Every Vote project through the Lenfest Institute for Journalism. It is through this generous funding that we are able to host the PHL Arts Mayoral Forum and develop the PHL Arts Voter Guide to ensure that the voices of the arts and culture community in Philadelphia are heard and elevated in this election. The Arts Voter Initiative will connect Philadelphia mayoral candidates with the diverse and eclectic arts community, encourage candidates to develop thoughtfully-conceived arts policies, and finally, to activate and inform arts-focused Philadelphians in the election process.

On the left, a woman in a hat, glasses and yellow cardigan stands outside of City Hall in Philadelphia. She is smiling and holding a green sign that says, "Arts & culture creates 37,590 jobs." Next to her is a man in a hat and glasses who is holding a sign that says, "Arts & Culture hosts 1,056 social impact programs'

 

 

Thank you to our Partners!

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The PHL Arts Mayoral Forum is a part of Every Voice, Every Vote, a collaborative project managed by The Lenfest Institute for Journalism. Lead support is provided by the William Penn Foundation with additional funding from The Lenfest Institute, Peter and Judy Leone, the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation, Harriet and Larry Weiss, and the Wyncote Foundation, among others. To learn more about the project and view a full list of supporters, visit www.everyvoice-everyvote.org. Editorial content is created independently of the project’s donors.