Since Philadelphia’s first COVID-19 patient was identified in mid-March, the city has recorded over 30,000 cases. The problem has become familiar in cities around the world: While instructions for slowing the spread of the virus, such as to remain six feet apart from others, are simple to understand, they are difficult to implement. How to get people to pay closer attention? A new partnership between the Philadelphia Department of Public Health and Mural Arts Philadelphia—with support from the Partnership for Healthy Cities—successfully launched an eye-catching platform for a public art campaign that promotes safe physical distancing and COVID-19 prevention.
Leveraging the use of art as strategic and effective communication, artists are creating brightly-colored posters and “space pads,” temporary vinyl floor tiles, for placement in essential businesses and other high-trafficked areas across the city. As of late July, the partnership placed 646 space pads and 235 posters in over 80 locations, and in seven languages: English, Spanish, Mandarin, French, Arabic, Russian and Vietnamese. The project features unique artwork from more than twenty artists; among the cohort is Cuban-Egyptian painter and street artist Symone Salib.
Since embarking on a career in art, Symone wanted to only share messages of importance through her pieces. Her work aims to highlight the lives and stories of the people of Philadelphia, especially people of color. We spoke to Symone about her work with Mural Arts and the role of art in advancing public health action during the COVID-19 era.
About the Partnership for Healthy Cities:
The Partnership for Healthy Cities is a prestigious global network of cities committed to saving lives by preventing noncommunicable diseases (NCDs) and injuries. Supported by Bloomberg Philanthropies in partnership with WHO, as well as Vital Strategies, this initiative enables cities around the world to deliver a high-impact policy or programmatic intervention to reduce NCDs and injuries in their communities. For more information, visit: https://partnershipforhealthycities.bloomberg.org/
The Partnership for Healthy Cities COVID-19 Response is part of the $40 million Bloomberg Philanthropies COVID-19 Global Response Initiative. By collaborating with the WHO and Resolve to Save Lives, an initiative of Vital Strategies, the Partnership for Healthy Cities COVID-19 Response is working hand-in-hand with the world’s leading experts on epidemic prevention. Visit the PHC COVID-19 Response Center for technical tools and other information for cities fighting the pandemic.