The inability to rise above poverty weakens one's sense of pride and self-confidence, increasing vulnerability to social exclusion. To address this concern, access to education enables the poor to acquire skills that enhance their quality of living, improving their level of acceptance in society. Unfortunately, many developing societies find it difficult to ensure access to education for all its citizens, especially the poor. In search of alternative platforms that poor citizens may use, it was found that education is a cultural development medium that provides skills celebrating values and beliefs binding people together; making it easier for people to be accepted in the communities which they seek to belong in. Aside from education, there are other platforms of cultural development such as sports, religion, and art. In search of a cultural development platform to focus this research on, "Art" was found to not only provide skills and opportunities promoting acceptance amidst poverty-driven social barriers, but also highlight distinct local cultural attributes unique in a city as expressed via tourism; a development catalyst hinged on a city's unique identity. This paper discusses the case of Baguio City, home to a community adorned with an indigenous identity where not only is this identity used as a city development catalyst (tourism), but its governments' collaboration with art-engaged volunteer groups enable us to look deeper at theoretical discussions stating that 'improved social capital establishes a sense of identity'. To a certain degree, identity can also be recognized as a development catalyst –and not just a result - of enhanced social capital due to the learnings captured in this research.