{
	"type": "rich",
	"version": "1.0",
	"provider_name": "Action Network",
	"provider_url": "https://actionnetwork.org",
	
	"html": "<link href='https://actionnetwork.org/css/style-embed-v3.css' rel='stylesheet' type='text/css' /><script src='https://actionnetwork.org/widgets/v6/letter/mural-arts-budget-advocacy-campaign-2?format=js&source=widget'></script><div id='can-letter-area-mural-arts-budget-advocacy-campaign-2' style='width: 100%'><!-- this div is the target for our HTML insertion --></div>",
	"author_name": "Mural Arts Advocacy Campaign",
	"author_url": "https://actionnetwork.org/groups/mural-arts-advocacy-campaign",
	"title": "Mural Arts Budget Advocacy Campaign",
	"thumbnail_url": "https://can2-prod.s3.amazonaws.com/letters/photos/000/395/583/normal/MoreThanMurals_Title_TwoColor.png",
	"description": "For 40 years, Mural Arts Philadelphia has been an integral part of the social fabric of this city. Since its inception, Mural Arts has worked in communities across Philadelphia, including my own, to create beautiful public art, engage people in civic discourse, and empower our most marginalized neighbors. I have also seen firsthand the impact of public art – inspiration, representation, beautification, empowerment, advancement, investment, and more. I firmly believe that Mural Arts Philadelphia is one of the crown jewels of arts and culture in Philadelphia. The power of public art goes far beyond what you see on the walls. It has the potential to intervene in and interrupt the significant crises facing Philadelphia, including gun violence and homelessness. Mural Arts engages returning, justice-impacted citizens in life-stabilizing programs (The Guild and the Rec Crew). With a 10% recidivism rate and an 85% employment rate, it is evident these programs work and have the power to change lives. Mural Arts also provides same-day work and pay opportunities for folks experiencing economic insecurity through its Color Me Back program. Where others may run away from problems, I have seen Mural Arts run headfirst toward the problem with art-focused solutions. A few more fast facts about Mural Arts Philadelphia: ● Over 2,200 Philadelphia students engaged in art education programming each year ● Over 4,000 murals, bringing in thousands of tourists and generating revenue for arts adjacent industries in neighborhoods across the city ● Over 250 artists employed each year and workforce development programs for artists to get hands-on experience in public art ● Over $1.0 million in direct wages paid to program participants in the last five years ● Over 25,000 citizens reached with projects and programs annually I urge you to increase the current level of city funding for Mural Arts by an additional $2.4 million. At a time when Philadelphia faces a number of nuanced issues, it is crucial that public art be part of a holistic solution. Mural Arts has proven its commitment to all Philadelphians, both through programmatic work and through the creation of murals in every zip code of the city, and continues to have a dramatic impact on the lives of all Philadelphians. This deserves to be further invested in. Please do not hesitate to contact me if you have any questions or would like more information. Sincerely, Friends of Mural Arts",
	"url": "https://actionnetwork.org/letters/mural-arts-budget-advocacy-campaign-2"
}