On the Nov. 3 ballot: should City Hall's arts office be permanent?
The question would write Creative Philadelphia into the Home Rule Charter. Council sent it to voters 17-0 in June. Here is the wording and what changes if it passes.
Philadelphia voters will decide on Nov. 3 whether the city's office of arts and culture becomes a permanent part of city government, WHYY reported. Today the office, called Creative Philadelphia, exists because a mayor says it does. A "yes" vote would put it in the Home Rule Charter, which only voters can change.
The question you'll see
The ballot question, as set in Bill 260264-A, reads:
Shall the Philadelphia Home Rule Charter be amended to establish and define the functions of Creative Philadelphia, an office headed by the Chief Cultural Officer to promote the City's arts, culture, and creative economy sector?
The full charter language is in Resolution 260270, which Council approved June 11, according to the bill's certified copy.
Why it's on the ballot
The office dates to 1986 and has always existed by executive order, so each mayor could reshape or end it, WHYY reported. Mayor John Street shut it down. Mayor Michael Nutter brought it back. Mayor Jim Kenney proposed eliminating it in 2020 before cutting it and moving it under the Managing Director's Office. Mayor Cherelle L. Parker made its director a cabinet post.
Under the amendment, according to WHYY:
- Creative Philadelphia would become a permanent office.
- Its director would be a permanent cabinet-level position.
- It could have up to 15 staff members. It has 10 now.
WHYY's account does not describe a guaranteed budget for the office. A charter office still gets its money through the annual budget Council passes.
Supporters point to tight budgets. The most recent budget cut the Philadelphia Cultural Fund from $5 million to $3.5 million, WHYY reported. At-large Councilmember Rue Landau said at a City Hall rally that the office "is treated like an afterthought." WHYY did not report any organized opposition.
What our records add
- Sponsor: At-large Councilmember Isaiah Thomas introduced the bill March 26. Co-sponsors were Anthony Phillips, Kendra Brooks, Quetcy Lozada and Landau.
- Path: It went to the Committee on Law and Government, reached the floor May 28, and was amended on the floor June 4.
- Vote: Council passed it 17-0 on June 11. Parker signed it June 23. That is about 11 weeks from introduction to final passage.
What's next
The election is Tuesday, Nov. 3. If the question passes, the office's structure would be written into the charter. Its staffing and money would still be set in each year's budget. Polling places, mail ballot deadlines and sample ballots are at the city's election site, vote.phila.gov.
Another charter change is already in the pipeline. Council President Kenyatta Johnson's food affordability package would also ask voters to create a new office, as we explained Friday. That one is not on this year's ballot.