OACCE Holds Second Annual MAKE ART PHILLY in City Hall Courtyard

The Office of Arts, Culture and the Creative Economy (OACCE) presented a successful second year of Make Art Philly, a day of kid-focused and family friendly art-making, in the City Hall Courtyard on Wednesday, July 26.

OACCE held the first Make Art Philly in 2016 during the Democratic National Convention. Ten arts and cultural organizations from the Philadelphia region set up in the courtyard and offered free arts activities, from flag making, to screen printing, to clay-mation. This year, more than 1,500 children and their families attended a day of art camp. "I like making art because it shows my true nature," said Anya, a camper from one of Philadelphia Parks and Recreation Visual Arts Summer Camps who attended on Wednesday.

Art-making activities were offered by ArtWell, Asian Arts Initiative, Blick Art Materials, The Clay Studio, Fleisher Art Memorial, Main Line Art Center, Mural Arts Philadelphia, Philadelphia Parks and Recreation, Taller Puertorriqueño, and University City Arts League.

The day of visual arts activities was complimented by two session of dance instruction from with Hip Hop Fundamentals, which is dedicated to teaching youth empowerment, social issues, and academic content through hip hop dance.

Make Art Philly is one of several arts education initiatives of OACCE that highlight the many arts education organizations and youth arts programs in Philadelphia. Scheduled during the summer, the event is for area summer camps and families looking for fun activities for little or no cost. "In all of our initiatives, our office is focused on closing the gap in access to the arts," says Chief Cultural Officer Kelly Lee. "During the summer, when school is out and kids and parents are looking for things to do, we increase our free arts programming. Make Art Philly is a great opportunity for adults and kids to engage in and make art together."

OACCE's free performances and arts programming continues takes place in the courtyard and in neighborhoods across the city, the final one with the October 28 with Sister Cities Girlchoir. To find out more all remaining performances, please visit: http://creativephl.org/ArtsinAction/.

About City of Philadelphia's Office of Arts, Culture and the Creative Economy

The Office of Arts, Culture and the Creative Economy supports and promote arts, culture and the creative industries; develops partnerships that ensure culture and creativity are essential components of Philadelphia's community revitalization, education, and economic development strategies; and links Philadelphians to cultural resources and opportunities. For more information about the Office of Arts, Culture and the Creative Economy, visit: www.CreativePHL.org, Facebook.com/CreativePHL and on Twitter @CreativePHL and Instagram @CreativePHL.

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