Good Works: Citizens Bank Foundation funds Philadelphia mural arts
Philadelphia Business Journal by Valerie Rubinsky, Special to the Business Journal
Date: Friday, July 22, 2011, 12:45pm EDT
Good Works is a regular feature highlighting the philanthropic efforts of local businesses and nonprofits.
Casting a wide net
The Citizens Bank Foundation announced on July 7 a $200,000 grant to Philadelphia’s Mural Arts Program. The grant signifies both a partnership with the city and the Mural Arts Program, and the launching of an 18-month project called “How We Fish.”
The How We Fish initiative will begin with a work force development summit and continue with a series of community forums between 2011 and 2012. The initiative will end with the installation of a new mural that will celebrate work.
Daniel K. Fitzpatrick, president and CEO of Citizens Bank in Pennsylvania, New Jersey and Delaware, said the partnership will continue beyond the grant, and that Citizens Bank will be involved throughout the two years.
“It will culminate in a mural on 8th Street, but the process will be a series of community symposiums coming together,” Fitzpatrick said.
The name reflects the saying, “Give a man a fish and you feed him for a day. Teach a man to fish and you feed him for a lifetime.” It’s designed to serve as a catalyst for meaningful dialogue about work force development and job creation in Philadelphia.
“We want this to have a grass-roots orientation as well as a higher level business orientation, so what we’re really doing is connecting potential employees with potential employers,” Fitzpatrick said.
The mural will be painted on parachute cloth. The organization aims to involve hundreds of individuals to participate in its creation. It will be installed over an existing mural at 125 N. 8th St., at the intersection of 8th and Cherry streets. The mural is expected to be installed during the summer of 2012.