Philly Phundamentals 

For July 2026’s Philly Phundamentals webinar, the Pham explored how Philadelphia’s thriving arts and cultural community is shaped by collaboration, creativity, and a shared commitment to serving residents and visitors alike.

Moderated by Philadelphia Chief Cultural Officer and Executive Director of Creative Philadelphia Val Gay, the webinar featured a panel of arts and cultural leaders who shared how their organizations preserve the city’s artistic legacy while creating meaningful opportunities for learning, engagement, and connection.

Audrey Hudson, Deputy Director for Learning and Engagement at the Philadelphia Museum of Art, discussed the museum’s role as both a world-class cultural institution and a community gathering place. She highlighted the museum’s commitment to lifelong learning, accessibility, and partnerships with local artists and organizations, emphasizing the importance of creating welcoming experiences that inspire creativity and a sense of belonging.

Bill Perthes, Curator of Community Vitality at the Barnes Foundation, spoke about the Barnes’ educational mission and its focus on serving diverse audiences through innovative programming. He shared examples of community-centered initiatives, including programs for individuals living with Parkinson’s disease, Alzheimer’s, and dementia, as well as the Foundation’s partnership with Mural Arts Philadelphia on Just Us, an exhibition featuring artwork by justice-impacted and incarcerated artists.

Swabreen Bakr, Director of Communications and Brand Management at Mural Arts Philadelphia, explored how public art reflects the stories, history, and identity of Philadelphia’s neighborhoods. She described the collaborative process behind creating murals, highlighting how community members help shape each project and how public art continues to celebrate local voices while transforming neighborhoods across the city.

Terry Nolen, Producing Artistic Director and Co-Founder of the Arden Theatre Company, reflected on the theater’s longstanding commitment to Philadelphia artists and storytellers. He discussed the Arden’s work commissioning new plays by local playwrights, supporting emerging theater artists, and partnering with community organizations to ensure that theater remains accessible while bringing Philadelphia stories to life on stage.

Throughout the conversation, panelists reflected on how Philadelphia’s arts and cultural institutions are connected through a shared commitment to education, collaboration, and community. They emphasized the importance of supporting local artists, creating welcoming spaces for all audiences, and working together to ensure the city’s creative community continues to thrive for generations to come.

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More Information 

Mural Arts:

Phambassadors may reach out to [email protected] to share their interest in being added to their volunteer list!

Philadelphia Museum of Art:

The Philadelphia Museum of Art will be recruiting a new group of volunteers very soon. Please reach out to Dan Miller via email at [email protected] to share your interest.

Creative Philadelphia 

On Tuesday, August 4th, Creative Philadelphia will be welcoming hundreds of Philadelphians and visitors to the culminating celebration of 1776 seconds: Philadelphia Illuminated, which is part of the PHL250 iniative. There are available two hour shifts between 4:00 PM and 9:30 Pm.

If you are interested, contact fill out this form. Make sure to review the Volunteer Expectations prior to submitting the form.