Katharine Houghton Hepburn Center Internship: The City of Philadelphia Mural Arts Program Special Projects Intern Kate Elliott Summer 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 2012 Artist: Social Impact Studios & Eric Okdeh Location: Archworks Building, 125 North 8th Street How We Fish: A Mural About Work Expected Completion Date: October 2012 Artist: Cesar Viveros Location: 4241, 4248, and 4428 Frankford Avenue, and Kensington Avenue 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.