Executive Director

We are pleased to announce that Mural Arts Philadelphia has selected Emily Mello as its next Executive Director. She will assume her new role on September 1, 2026, succeeding Jane Golden, who founded and has led the organization since 1984.

A nationally respected museum educator, curator, and cultural leader, Mello brings more than two decades of experience advancing public engagement, learning, and community-centered programming at leading arts institutions across the country. Most recently, she served as Mayer Senior Director of Learning and Public Programs at the Museum of Contemporary Art Chicago, where she revitalized museum programming and helped restore attendance to pre-pandemic levels. Previously, she held senior leadership roles at the New Museum of Contemporary Art in New York and the Pérez Art Museum Miami, where she expanded community partnerships, launched innovative arts initiatives, and oversaw significant programmatic growth.

As Executive Director, Mello will lead one of the nation's most celebrated public arts organizations. Mural Arts Philadelphia creates more than 80 public art projects annually, employs over 250 artists each year, and stewards a collection of more than 4,500 murals across Philadelphia's neighborhoods. Under her leadership, the organization will continue to advance its mission of harnessing the transformative power of art to strengthen communities, elevate diverse voices, and foster civic engagement throughout the city.

Throughout her career, Mello has demonstrated a commitment to expanding access to the arts and developing programs that connect cultural institutions with the communities they serve. At the New Museum, she launched the annual Art and Social Justice Residency and Exhibition and broadened youth and adult engagement initiatives. At PAMM, she led strategic growth efforts, including significant expansion of staff, educational programming, and community partnerships.

In accepting the appointment, Mello noted that Mural Arts represents "one of Philadelphia's most impactful cultural success stories" and emphasized her belief that public art serves as essential civic infrastructure that should be shaped by, accountable to, and reflective of local communities.

Jane Golden, whose visionary leadership transformed a city's anti-graffiti initiative into a globally recognized model for public art and community engagement, expressed confidence that Mello will build upon Mural Arts Philadelphia's extraordinary legacy and continue deepening its impact throughout Philadelphia and beyond.

Tiffany Weber and Sarah James led this search with Quizayra Gonzalez, Siobhan Hanely, and Harley Bartles.