Recognizing April 15, 2026 as World Art Day in the City of Philadelphia, and celebrating the creativity, innovation and cultural diversity of the City's fine arts.

Recognizing April 15, 2026 as World Art Day in the City of Philadelphia, and celebrating the creativity, innovation and cultural diversity of the City’s fine arts. WHEREAS, World Art Day is celebrated globally on April 15 every year. April 15 is Leonardo da Vinci’s birthday and this day serves as a tribute to his contribution to the arts and sciences, to help reinforce the links between artistic creations and society, encourage greater awareness of diversity of artistic expressions, and highlight how contributions of artists are vital to development; and WHEREAS, World Art Day was established by the International Association of Art (IAA), a non-governmental organization that works in partnership with The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) to promote awareness of creative activity worldwide, foster the development of cultural diversity, encourage international cooperation, and recognize the importance of art in culture, sustainable development, and education; and WHEREAS, Art is a tool for expression, healing, protest, and unity. Arts education creates opportunities for youth, helps to support local artists through equitable funding and visibility, and acknowledges how art uplifts underrepresented voices, especially Black, Brown, LGBTQ+, immigrant, and disabled artists; and WHEREAS, The theme of World Art Day 2026 is "A Garden of Expression: Cultivating Community Through Art” to emphasize that art is not only a personal endeavor but also …