What do the Mayoral candidates have to say about Philly’s arts and parks?

The last time a Republican was elected mayor of Philadelphia was in 1947 (when Bernard Samuel was returned to office for a third term*), so it seems safe to assume that our next mayor will be chosen in the Democratic primary on May 19.

The candidates have been appearing around the city in a series of forums to discuss the many important issues facing Philadelphia: the schools, crime and policing, development. Only one forum, though, is going to ask the candidates to address how they plan to support arts and parks in the city — that forum is coming up on Wednesday, April 22 at the Central Branch of the Free Library.

The event is being sponsored by GroundSwell, a program of the Greater Philadelphia Cultural Alliance, and the Philadelphia Parks Alliance. Maud Lyon, the president of the Cultural Alliance, said, “Our quality of life sectors play a significant role in making Philadelphia a great place to live, work and play. The Mayor plays a critical role in supporting our sectors and helping expand access to our cultural and recreational assets.”

If funding for arts and culture is important to you, the answers the candidates provide at this forum will definitely be of interest.

The Mayoral Forum on Arts & Parks is coming up on Wednesday, April 22, from 5:45-7:30pm in the Montgomery Auditorium at the Central Branch of the Free Library of Philadelphia, 1901 Vine Street, Philadelphia. The forum is free and open to the public, but registration is required. There will be a post-forum reception at City Tap House, 18th and Cherry Sts., Philadelphia. If you can’t make it, you can follow along on Twitter during the event with the hashtag #ArtsParksForum.

*During Samuel’s first term, the prohibition on consecutive mayoral terms was removed; during his third, in 1951, the City Charter was amended to limit a mayor to two consecutive terms. Samuel must have been a heck of a guy.