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Most Americans are dissatisfied with the way people treat each other in this country, and say it’s only getting worse. That’s the top-line finding from The Dignity Barometer, created in 2026 by Hart Research to gauge the way Americans feel about their connections to each other. 

78% of polled Americans say it’s a concern that we can’t come together as a country to solve problems. 

The good news is that volunteer organizations are where people not only experience dignity, but find hope that we can treat people with dignity. And there’s a direct connection between people who take part in the arts, and those who get involved in volunteering groups or social clubs. Adults who attend art events are more likely to have social support nets, get together with friends and family, and feel less lonely on the whole. 

That’s why I was so excited when Step Outside Show opened on South Street, right near me. It was a free place to meet other people interested in visual arts, meet the artists and talk about local issues. It was a place to make art and become part of a circle of artists.

Like many scrappy things in a quickly gentrifying city, the show is closed now. But the intent stuck with me, and was buzzing around in my head when National Cheesesteak Day rolled around. See, in art spaces, like South Street Art Mart and others, I kept seeing this shirt. Unmistakably a man slinging cheesesteaks in a font reminiscent of the old hardcore bands.

Writing the Eater guide to Philly’s best cheesesteaks, I have had dozens. So instead of fighting over seeded breads and types of cheeses, I wanted to explore the people who make this city – the artists – and their attachment to this blue collar specialty that in recent years has become vegan, met new cheeses, and even achieved Bib Gourmand status. So, I spend the day getting back to basics, eating a greasy old-school steak and talk about wearable art that absolutely screams Philly. 

Street artist Doomed Future, who works on Step Outside Show with a collective of other artists, made this shirt in homage to his grandfather, who worked at Jim’s West back in the 50’s and 60’s. I lured him back there to sit on a freezing cold bench outside and drip cheesesteak oil on ourselves, to talk about his grandfather, what it means to keep Philly hardcore and why I am only going to a papi shop for dinner after a hardcore show from now on.  

Some snippets I had to cut out of the video thanks to Instagram’s three-minute time rule: 

  • We were both passionate about what it means to progress but also keep the traditions of a place that make it beautiful. 
  • Bacon, egg and cheese slander; not from me. 
  • If you can make something beautiful for a living, you should. 

 And given all the research I shared above, you’ll be more civic-minded if you can build a support network, preferably one around art. 

Luckily, there’s a new location imminent for the Step Outside Show, but you’ll have to follow Doomed Future to find that out.

In the meantime, if you're looking to get involved with arts organizations across the city, here are a few:

The arts make you a better person, and this is some VERY Philly art

Writing the Eater guide to Philly’s best cheesesteaks, I have had dozens. So I wanted to spend National Cheesesteak Day with artist Doomed Future talking about his grandfather and Jim's West