Global Philadelphia and the Sustainable Development Goal Mural Project

The Five Ps

Taken one by one, the 17 SDG concepts may seem overwhelming in a world that is rapidly changing. But there is a simple framework to the goals, called the Five Ps.

1. People 
2. Prosperity 
3. Peace
4. Planet
5. Partnership

The People, Planet, and Prosperity areas contain sets of goals relevant to each category. For example, among the People goals, you’ll find Zero Hunger. The Planet set includes Clean and Affordable Energy, and the Prosperity group includes Decent Work and Economic Growth.

Peace and Partnership are singular objectives. Of course, partnership is the necessary goal that ties all the others together, and partnership is what has made the SDG Mural Project a success.

Photo credit & Photo license

More Than Just Public Art

GPA and colleagues designed the project to have an impact beyond the visual aspect of the artwork. Each SDG installation is a collaboration between GPA, artists, sponsors, and nonprofit grant recipients.

The SDG Mural Project provides opportunities for outstanding artists to create relevant works on public display. Beyond the dynamic art, the endeavor also provides grant money in the amount of $3,000 to local nonprofits and educational institutions doing related work. Each chosen grantee receives increased visibility of their work thanks to local news broadcasts. 

This grant also brings forth a broader educational opportunity for the public, allowing Philadelphia residents to be acculurated on the importance of Sustainable Development in a variety of forms each time they pass a mural. Over the course of numerous unveilings, students have read poetry and performed music and dances, prominent public officials have spoke on the progress of the goals, residents and professionals from different sectors have had the opportunity to network, and artists have offered a view of their own creative vision for sustainability.

GPA’s Role

GPA initiated the program in 2020, deciding early to accompany each work with relevant grant awards to community groups and nonprofits.

Our role is to find sponsors and raise public awareness about these essential seventeen goals. After securing funding, we connect the sponsors, artists, and local nonprofits and businesses that embodied a particular goal, and then worked to activate it within that community.

GPA aligns the grant money with relevant organizations that are active in their communities, such as when Thurgood Marshall was the face of the mural in Center City at Project Home for SDG #16: Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions. GPA interns and staffers work closely with partners to push each deliverable to completion.

As each mural reaches its reveal date, we then promote the new, issue-driven artwork with press releases, our social media presence, online newsletters, walking tours, and meet and greets with the artists.

GPA is grateful for the opportunity to do meaningful work with many partners from Philadelphia’s impressive communities of artists, philanthropists, leaders, educators, and activists.

SDG Murals List

The 17 SDG murals have created 17 artist’s commissions and multiple grants to deserving organizations. They have also sparked countless thoughts and discussions on campuses and city streets. The beautiful, provocative works continue to raise awareness of sustainability issues for Philadelphians.

Want to see for yourself? Here’s where you can find these unique pieces of meaningful art.

Follow the links to learn more about each SDG Mural and how they align with the five P’s of the SDGS: People, Prosperity, Planet, Peace and Partnerships.