Mural Arts Philadelphia has found their new executive director. Emily Mello will replace retiring executive director Jane Golden beginning Sept. 1, 2026. Emily Mello, new executive director of Mural Arts Philadelphia Golden, who founded and has led Mural Arts Philadelphia since its inceptio n in 1984, announced her retirement in August 2025. She will exit her role as executive director on Aug. 31, 2026, but will remain a consultant for the organization through the end of 2026. Mural Arts Philadelphia began as an initiative led by former Philadelphia Mayor Wilson Goode to address the city’s graffiti problem. Golden was hired to lead the Philadelphia Anti-Graffiti Network, working with graffiti artists and community members across the city to create murals that told stories of the city and highlighted overlooked spaces. As a result of this project, with help from former Mayor Ed Rendell, the Mural Arts Program was formed. “It has been the greatest privilege of my life to help build an organization that believes in the transformative power of public art,” said Golden. “I welcome Emily Mello as Mural Arts’ next Executive Director with optimism that the organization will continue to inspire and deepen its impact under her leadership. I look forward to cheering on this exciting new era for Mural Arts and for the communities we are so proud to serve.” Mello has served as an educator, curator, and strategic advisor for museums and art organizations across the United States. Most recently, Mello served as the Mayer Senior Director of Learning and Public Programs at the Museum of Contemporary Art Chicago from 2023 to 2025, where she revived museum programs, bringing them full attendance for the first time since 2020. She previously held the role of Senior Associate Director of Education at the New Museum of Contemporary Art in New York, from 2015 to 2022, where she launched the annual Art and Social Justice Residency and Exhibition, and expanded youth and adult community partner programs. Mello also served as Deputy Director for Education and Public Programs at the Pérez Art Museum Miami (PAMM) from 2011 to 2015, where she planned, fundraised, and implemented complex budgets, quadrupling program staff and programming for youth and adults. Mello has also held positions at the Neuberger Museum, Purchase College, and Brandeis University, among other institutions. “This is an extraordinary opportunity to build on one of Philadelphia’s most impactful cultural success stories,” said Mello. “Mural Arts has shown the world how artists and residents working together can transform a city at every scale, from creating meaningful experiences in individual lives to amplifying shared histories and visions. I am honored to join this talented team and work with our partners across the city to ensure that public art continues to be valued as essential infrastructure that is shaped by, accountable to, and reflective of Philadelphia’s communities.” Each year, Mural Arts creates over 80 public art projects, employs more than 250 artists, and oversees a collection of over 4,5000 murals across every district of Philadelphia. ...read more read less