Mural Arts Philadelphia founder and Executive Director Jane Golden will step down next year after 42 years, according to the organization.
The announcement came on Aug. 25, just weeks after major projects on William Still and Dick Allen were finished and dedicated in South Philly.
Under Jane Golden’s visionary leadership, Mural Arts Philadelphia became the nation’s largest public art program, creating more than 4,500 murals, employing over 250 visual artists each year and earning national and international recognition for strengthening communities through public art.
“Art is how we tell our city’s story, and I’ve been honored to help write this important chapter,” Golden said. “It has been the privilege of my life to partner with thousands of artists, staff and residents of Philadelphia to create work that speaks to our neighborhoods, our history and our hopes. I believe deeply in what we’ve built and in what comes next.”
Golden will end her nearly half-century tenure in July 2026.
Golden was hired by former Mayor Wilson Goode in 1984 to address the city’s graffiti problem through the Philadelphia Anti-Graffiti Network. She collaborated with graffiti artists and community members to create murals that reflected local stories, bringing visibility and vibrancy to overlooked public spaces.
Under Mayor Ed Rendell, the Anti-Graffiti Network became the Mural Arts Program and became a city initiative. The later creation of the nonprofit Philadelphia Mural Arts Advocates established the hybrid structure that continues today, combining municipal partnership with independent nonprofit capacity to sustain the mission and expand impact.
“Jane’s leadership shaped not only Mural Arts, but the way Philadelphia sees itself,” said Hope Comisky, board chair of Philadelphia Mural Arts Advocates. “She built an institution grounded in collaboration, creativity and civic imagination, and her influence will continue to shape its direction for years to come.”
According to the organization, Mural Arts produces more than 80 public art projects each year. It also employs more than 250 artists annually and stewards a collection of more than 4,500 murals across the city.
A national search will begin this fall to potentially replace Golden. The Board of Directors has established a search committee to work with a national search firm to identify the organization’s next executive director. The process will prioritize leadership that reflects Mural Arts’ mission, values and commitment to artistic excellence.
Golden’s honors include the Philadelphia Award, the Hepburn Medal from Bryn Mawr College and the Visionary Woman Award from Moore College of Art. She is a published author, an adjunct professor at the University of Pennsylvania and a member of several advisory boards and councils.
She will guide major semiquincentennial projects and work closely with senior leadership and the Board of Directors to ensure a smooth and strategic transition.
“Jane Golden’s energy, vision and dedication have built a powerful model for community-centered public art,” said Mayor Cherelle Parker. “Art changes lives. As we honor Jane’s remarkable impact on Philadelphia’s social and physical landscape, we look ahead with excitement to the future of Mural Arts.”