About us

Philadelphia’s City Budget is more than just numbers – it’s a reflection of our city’s values, priorities, and future. It determines what gets funded, what gets cut, and whose needs are prioritized. Yet, the budget process can feel boring, complex, and inaccessible. The People’s Budget Office wants to change that.

Founded in 2021, the People’s Budget Office is a project of Mural Arts Philadelphia that transforms the municipal budgeting process into an inclusive, creative, and community-driven experience. Facilitated by socially engaged artist Phoebe Bachman, we use public art, education, and advocacy to empower residents to engage directly in shaping how public funds are allocated.

By making the budget process transparent, accessible, and playful, we ensure that all Philadelphians—regardless of background, age, or experience—can have a say in how their city is built and resourced.

What we do

We provide opportunities for Philadelphian’s to learn about the city budget and share their funding priorities through programming that blends civic education with creative expression. Our work is guided by core areas of learning, imagination, and advocacy.

Learn

We host Budget 101 & 201 Workshops in neighborhoods across the city and online.

Budget 101 breaks down the basics of the budget process, making it easier to understand how city funds are distributed.
Budget 201 takes a deeper dive into key issues such as public safety, taxes, housing, education, and environmental justice.

Imagine

We’ve created The People’s Budget Office at LOVE Park.

From April to June, we transform LOVE Park into an immersive installation and the site of our Artist in Residency program. The public can join artist-led workshops and contribute their priorities through participatory artworks and installations.

Advocate

We launch citywide surveys and digital tools to gather and visualize resident priorities.

We equip community members with the skills to testify at budget hearings and advocate for their needs.
We collaborate with organizations like The Alliance for a Just Philadelphia to provide advocacy training and resources.

Why It Matters

The city budget shapes our daily lives—from schools and libraries to public safety, transit, parks, and housing. Yet, many Philadelphians, particularly in historically disinvested neighborhoods, have little say in how these funds are allocated. We believe the budget should reflect the people it serves.

By breaking down barriers to participation, we are building a future where all residents—regardless of income, race, or zip code—have access to the knowledge, tools, and creative spaces to advocate for their needs.