Synthesis of Information Related to Transit Practices. Topic SB-44. The State of Art Programs in Transit

Public art invigorates public spaces while also adding a sense of safety, collective ownership, and belonging to the citizens that gather in those spaces. Along with other public spaces such as parks, playgrounds, libraries, and airports, many transit systems across the United States and Canada display art at transit facilities and on transit vehicles. For example, the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA) utilizes an Art in Transit Program (AIT) that “incorporates visual and performing arts into the Metrorail system to enhance the experience of customers, the communities it serves, and the Capital region at large.” The AIT program of WMATA exposes its customers to a variety of different art styles and allows for a wide range of local artists to present their work in a new light. There is little to no information on what benefits art in transit systems create for the users of those systems, the communities around the systems, and the artists that participate. There is also little information about what programs exist to include art at and around transit stations. The objective of this synthesis will be to document the use of art (permanent artwork, rotating installations, visual and performing art, etc.) in public transit systems (commuter rail, bus, paratransit, etc.) throughout the United States and Canada. This synthesis will document what types of programs exist and explore the reasons why and how agencies utilize art in their transit systems.

• Record URL:
  • http://apps.trb.org/cmsfeed/TRBNetProjectDisplay.asp?ProjectID=5760

Language

• English

Project

• Status: Active
• Funding: $55000
• Contract Numbers:

  Project J-07, SB-44

• Sponsor Organizations:

  Transit Cooperative Research Program (TCRP) Synthesis

  Transportation Research Board
  500 Fifth Street, NW
  Washington, DC    20001

  Federal Transit Administration

  1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE
  Washington, DC  United States  20590
• Project Managers:

  Griswold, Emily

• Performing Organizations:
  ,    

  EBP US

  Boston, MA  United States 
• Principal Investigators:

  Stein, Naomi

• Start Date: 20250101
• Expected Completion Date: 20260630
• Actual Completion Date: 0

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Art; Public transit
• Geographic Terms: Canada; United States
• Subject Areas: Public Transportation; Society; Terminals and Facilities;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 01925968
• Record Type: Research project
• Source Agency: Transportation Research Board
• Contract Numbers: Project J-07, SB-44
• Files: TRB, RIP
• Created Date: Jul 29 2024 7:05PM