Final Scope

Background

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. 

Objective

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.

Information to be Gathered 

The information that will be gathered for this synthesis should:

• Document the types of art in public transit programs that exist, as well as how many programs exist.
• Document the geographic diversity of art in public transit programs (are these programs more common in larger metropolitan areas, rural areas, etc.?).
• Document partnerships and/or programs that assist transit agencies in funding an art in public transit program as well as the procurement process.
• Explore why transit agencies use art in their systems.
• Do agencies expect increased ridership?
• Decrease in vandalism on/around the system?
• Improved perception of rider safety?
• Improve rider experience?
• Examine how transit agencies determine what type of art will be included in their systems.
• How is the art selected (auditions, proposals, peer review, open call, etc.)
• Does the agency have a curation process/curator?
• Does the agency have a board/committee?
• Who are the stakeholders involved in these decisions?
• Does the neighborhood or community have a say in what is included?
• How does the agencies budget impact what art, if any, is included or displayed on the transit system?
• Discover what benefits do transit agencies and their customers (as well as the general public and local community) receive from including art in transit systems. How do transit agencies capture/document those benefits?
• What challenges have transit agencies faced in including art in their systems, such as:
• Vandalism
• Potential safety concerns
• Damage from natural disasters (such as flooding)
• Funding
• Implementation and management
• Opposition from stakeholders
• Maintaining the art
• Collection management

How the Information will be Gathered

This information will be gathered through a literature review, an online survey of transit agencies, and at least five case examples [spanning from small, medium, and large transit systems along with geographic diversity] that highlight innovative and effective programs of art in transit systems.