Murals and neighborhoods: The impact of public art in Philadelphia

The present study explores the impact of public art, specifically murals, on two different urban neighborhoods of Philadelphia—West Philadelphia and Center City. We tested the hypotheses that aesthetic experiences are modulated by socioeconomic and cultural contexts in which they are apprehended and that art changes perceptions of neighborhoods. Participants assessed their aesthetic experience in city blocks with and without murals in both neighborhoods. Perceptions of safety, cleanliness, noise, interestingness and residents' friendliness were evaluated before and after looking at the murals. We found that murals enhanced perceptions of beauty, liking, and positive emotional impacts in both neighborhoods. Murals in West Philadelphia were liked better. Moreover, people were more immersed and felt transformed by those murals than by those in Center City. Importantly, the murals influenced neighborhood perceptions, improving perceived safety and interest in West Philadelphia and reducing perceived noise and uncleanliness in Center City. These findings highlight the potential of public art to enrich the experience of urban spaces both within and across neighborhoods, particularly in areas facing socioeconomic challenges. Public art can be a powerful tool to enhance the visual and emotional landscape of cities, fostering positive social and cultural narratives in urban environments. • Public art elicits stronger positive affect in neighborhoods with socioeconomic challenges. • Murals significantly improve perceptions of safety, cleanliness, and friendliness. • Public art reduces the negative perception of underdeveloped neighborhoods.