A Keith Haring mural in Philadelphia may soon be protected as a historic landmark — and the vote this week could change how the city treats public art altogether.
The mural “We The Youth” (1987) was painted by Haring and 14 high school students on a wall in Point Breeze, a historically Black neighborhood in South Philadelphia. It is the only one of Haring’s collaborative murals that still sits in its original spot, after being restored twice over its 39-year life. On Wednesday, September 16, the Philadelphia Historical Commission will decide whether to add it to the Philadelphia Register of Historic Places. If it happens, it would be the first outdoor mural in the city to earn that protection.
Haring’s Choice of Wall
Haring picked Point Breeze on purpose. He wanted the mural to live somewhere quiet, away from the busy streets of the city center. He chose a wall on a residential building in a neighborhood with deep Black history.
The wall is co-owned by two groups. One is the Neighborhood Gardens Trust (NGT), which preserves Philadelphia community gardens. The other is OCF Realty, a real estate company that has faced criticism over its role in the rapid gentrification of Point Breeze.
The mural comes at a point in Haring’s career when he was at his peak. A year earlier, he had painted his famous “Crack is Wack” mural in New York City. Three years later, he died from AIDS-related complications.
The Collaborative Process
Haring drew the bold, black outlines of his signature dancing figures. The students filled them in with bright colors and patterns. The result is a large-scale work that mixes professional vision with teenage hands.
The collaboration is part of why the mural holds its place. Haring worked directly with the young painters, giving them a hand in the final look of the piece.
Restoration Twice Over
The mural has needed care twice since it was painted. Each time, the work was restored to keep the colors bright and the lines sharp.
The fact that it has lasted this long speaks to the quality of the restoration work. It also speaks to the care the community has shown toward the wall.
The Vote This Week
The public meeting on September 16 will let anyone speak about the mural’s future. The commission will hear comments and consider whether to approve the designation.
If the vote goes in favor, the mural will join the Philadelphia Register of Historic Places. That would make it the first outdoor mural in the “Mural Capital of the World” to get that kind of protection.
Who Wants It Protected
Almost every key stakeholder has publicly backed the mural’s designation. The Keith Haring Foundation told Hyperallergic in a statement that the move would be “preserving it as a unique cultural icon and providing the necessary legal protections against its loss.”
The foundation’s support carries weight. Its statement points directly at the stakes: the designation would give the mural legal protections against losing it.
What Protection Would Mean
Adding the mural to the historic register would give it legal protections against being destroyed or altered without permission. It would also put it on the city’s official list of historic places.
That matters for public art in Philadelphia. If the commission approves the designation, it sets a precedent for how the city treats outdoor murals. Other works could follow this path.
The Case for Protection
The mural has already proven its staying power. It has survived 39 years, two restorations, and changes in the neighborhood around it.
Here is what the designation would cover:
- Legal protections against destruction or alteration without permission
- Placement on the city’s official list of historic places
- Recognition as a cultural icon worth preserving
Each of these steps builds on the last. Together, they form a strong case for why the mural should be protected.
The Decision Ahead
The vote will happen this week. The commission will hear public comments and decide whether to approve the designation.
The outcome will matter far beyond Point Breeze. It will show how the city decides which public artworks deserve lasting protection.
The mural’s supporters see it as a cultural icon. They want the city to treat it as such.
The designation would give the mural the same protections that buildings and monuments get. It would mean the city officially recognizes its value.
Why This Matters Now
The vote this week is not just about one wall. It is about how Philadelphia decides which public artworks deserve lasting protection.
The mural’s supporters see it as a cultural icon. They want the city to treat it as such.
The designation would give the mural the same protections that buildings and monuments get. It would mean the city officially recognizes its value.
The mural has already made its mark on the city. It deserves to keep making it.
The vote will decide whether that mark stays permanent.
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