Art Commission Approves New Public Artwork By Brian McCutcheon At Smith Playground

The Office of Arts, Culture, and the Creative Economy's Percent for Art Program is pleased to announce the approval of a new public art commission by artist Brian McCutcheon at Smith Playground located in South Philadelphia at 2100 South 24th Street.

"Public art instills a sense of identity and understanding of our city, our history and our ideals," said Mayor Kenney. "This impactful Percent for Art commission by Brian McCutcheon represents a long overdue celebration of our residents and particularly our youth."

This site-specific commission will depict a young, African American female athlete - a representative image of the culturally vibrant community that uses Smith Playground. The figurative bronze sculpture will depict a middle school-age basketball player in a competitively-focused pose.This will be the first freestanding statue depicting a young African American girl in the City's historic public art collection.

"The City is committed to celebrating diversity in all initiatives, including public art," said Chief Cultural Officer Kelly Lee. "The Percent for Art program is supporting this by commissioning public artworks that represent and respond specifically to the public spaces, communities and cultures that make Philadelphia a vibrant and creative place to be."

Mr. McCutcheon's work responds directly to the need for a public monument that represents the predominantly African American neighborhood around Smith Playground. The figure's body language and expression are intended to inspire confidence, strength and the possibilities that can be achieved through dedication and hard work. "I believe this contemporary monument will be a local landmark that captures youthful determination and optimism. My hope is that young people in the community will recognize themselves in this work, their time in history and their own heroic story," states McCutcheon.

Located in South Philadelphia, Smith Playground engages hundreds of youth and adults in year-round activities. Major renovations to the site were completed earlier this year. These included: updates to the recreation center; the addition of a new WHYY Media Lab; full renovation of the playground area; new basketball courts; the creation of a new mural; new turf field striped for football, soccer and baseball; installation of Green Storm water Infrastructure including subsurface elements and a rain garden; general site amenity improvements and gateways; and an outdoor fitness area with walking path.

This Percent for Art opportunity was announced nationally to artists and artist teams as an open Call to Artists in December 2017. Of 52 applicants, four finalists were selected to present proposals. The selection panel included: Cavin Jones, Artist; Ife Nii Owoo, Artist; Jennie Shanker, Artist and Professor, Tyler University. The Advisory Panel included representatives from: The Office of Arts, Culture and the Creative Economy, Philadelphia Parks & Recreation, Make the World Better, and a conservator from the Philadelphia Museum of Art.

About the Artist
Indianapolis-based artist, Brian McCutcheon uses video, photography, and sculpture to explore the relationships between play and purpose. He has been the recipient of a number of artist grants, awards, and residencies, including a 2010-11 Pollock-Krasner Foundation grant and a summer 2009 residency at Sculpture Space in Utica, New York. Over the past decade, his work has been featured in a wide range of exhibitions on a national and international scale. McCutcheon is the ?founder of Ignition Arts, LLC.

About the Percent for Art Program
Enacted in 1959, the Percent for Art ordinance requires that one percent of the total dollar amount of any construction project that includes City funds be devoted to the commissioning of site-specific public art. The first of its kind in the nation, the program has commissioned over 300 works of art. The intent of the Percent for Art Ordinance is to enhance the City's public environment by incorporating exceptional site-specific works of art.

About City of Philadelphia's Office of Arts, Culture and the Creative Economy
The Office of Arts, Culture and the Creative Economy's (OACCE) mission is to support and promote arts, culture, and the creative industries; and to develop partnerships and coordinate efforts that weave arts, culture, and creativity into the economic and social fabric of the city of Philadelphia.

The OACCE manages and oversees City arts programs, provides services to artists and arts organizations and serves as the primary point of municipal contact for local organizations, businesses, artists and creative entrepreneurs. As Philadelphia's local arts agency, the OACCE works in cooperation with the Mayor, City Council, and other City offices to make Philadelphia a great place to live, work and visit.