Update: Philadelphia Voters Make Creative Philadelphia Permanent

83.6% of Philadelphia voters approved Ballot Question #2, establishing Creative Philadelphia as a permanent office within City government.

Philadelphia, PA – On November 3, Philadelphia voters overwhelmingly approved Ballot Question #2, amending the City’s Home Rule Charter to formally establish Creative Philadelphia as a permanent office within City government, led by a Cabinet-level Chief Cultural Officer.

With 83.6% of voters who cast a ballot on the question voting “Yes,” the result sends a powerful message: Philadelphians recognize the essential role that arts, culture, and the creative economy play in the life and future of our city.

The Greater Philadelphia Cultural Alliance has long advocated for making Creative Philadelphia permanent, and we are proud to have supported this important step forward.

By embedding Creative Philadelphia in the City Charter, Philadelphia has created greater administrative continuity for arts and culture across mayoral administrations and strengthened the creative sector’s representation within City government. This change creates the potential for a more consistent commitment to arts and culture and a stronger voice for the sector in City decision-making.

At a moment when cultural organizations are confronting rising costs, workforce pressures, funding reductions, and the loss or instability of longstanding institutions, this victory is especially meaningful.

But permanence is only the beginning.

The Charter amendment itself does not provide additional funding for Creative Philadelphia or the broader cultural sector. Decisions about public investment will continue to be made through the City’s annual budget process.

Our work must now build on this extraordinary momentum.

The Cultural Alliance will continue advocating for:

• Robust annual appropriations for Creative Philadelphia, the Philadelphia Cultural Fund, Mural Arts Philadelphia, and other City-supported cultural programs;
• The completion and implementation of a comprehensive Cultural Plan that establishes a long-term vision for Philadelphia’s creative sector;
• Exploration of a dedicated arts funding mechanism that can provide stable and reliable public investment; and
• Policies and partnerships that strengthen cultural organizations, support creative workers, and protect the cultural assets that make Philadelphia distinctive.

The overwhelming approval of Ballot Question #2 demonstrates that Philadelphia residents value arts and culture and want them represented permanently within City government.

Now it is time to ensure that this commitment is matched by the investment, policy, and resources necessary for Philadelphia’s creative sector to thrive.

The Cultural Alliance is grateful to the advocates, artists, cultural organizations, partners, elected officials, and voters who helped make this milestone possible. We look forward to working alongside our members and partners to turn this victory into lasting progress for Greater Philadelphia’s cultural community.

This is an important milestone. Let’s celebrate it — and carry the momentum forward.

About Greater Philadelphia Cultural Alliance: 

Established in 1972, the Greater Philadelphia Cultural Alliance has proudly served as the region’s foremost advocate for arts and cultural for over 50 years. Our mission is to lead, strengthen and amplify the voices of a dynamic cultural community that sparks creativity, inspires people, and plays a vital role in fostering the health and wellbeing of the region. Representing a diverse cultural ecosystem—including museums, visual artists, dance companies, community art centers, musicians, historic sites, zoos, and more—the Cultural Alliance is dedicated to being a thought leader, trusted resource, and powerful advocate for the Greater Philadelphia creative sector. We are committed to driving positive change and supporting the collective vision of our community. For more information, please visit philaculture.org.