art on the parkway

Art on the Parkway is a juried open call organized by the Association for Public Art (aPA) in partnership with the Parkway Council and Philadelphia Parks & Recreation (PPR). It invites artists, designers, and other creatives to propose a temporary public art installation in Maja Park on Philadelphia’s Benjamin Franklin Parkway. This year’s project will be commissioned in recognition of the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence and America’s Semiquincentennial celebrations that will take place in Philadelphia during the summer of 2026.

The Benjamin Franklin Parkway is one of Philadelphia’s grandest civic spaces with a rich array of art and architecture—including many sculptures acquired and maintained by the Association for Public Art. We invite proposals for America’s Semiquincentennial that consider and expand on the idea of Art as Catalyst. More specifically, we are looking for public artworks that contribute to a place for people with different backgrounds and perspectives to engage, encounter new ideas, and increase mutual understanding. Creative works that inspire, motivate, or energize are encouraged as are artworks that embrace experimentation, challenge norms, or inspire action.

This commission will be a part of the Parkway Council’s Parkway to Park summer festivities on the Parkway and must be durable and suitable for display in a public park open to the elements for the four-month exhibit period from late June-October 2026. Art on the Parkway is open to individuals or collaborative teams who live or work in the Greater Philadelphia area.