Philadelphia Releases New Arts Mapping Tool

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Today, Philadelphia made available a free new mapping tool called CultureBlocks, that supports organizations making decisions about place and creativity in Philadelphia. Powered by PolicyMap, the online tool can be used for simple data gathering to inform a project, research into a specific neighborhood, or data gathering for a city-wide initiative.

The creation of CultureBlocks was funded by the National Endowment for the Arts and ArtPlace and represents the work of three organizations long tied to the arts in Philadelphia: The Reinvestment Fund, the Social Impact for the Arts Projects at the University of Pennsylvania and the Mayor’s Office of Arts, Culture and Creative Economy. The release of the web tool represents just one part of a multi-phase project. Later this year, the team will release additional data and trend analyses that can guide a series of arts-related investment strategies in the city.

CultureBlocks contains over 50 datasets unique to Philadelphia – all in one simple tool. Maps can be zoomed to particular neighborhoods, councilmanic districts, or even school catchment areas. Data can be visualized in fluid interactive maps, summarized in reports or analyzed through a site selection tool called Match.

Learn more about the site and check out the tool itself at www.cultureblocks.com.