The State of Art in Transit Programs (2026)
Chapter: 1 Introduction
CHAPTER 1
Introduction
Public art frequently is intended to invigorate public spaces and add a sense of safety, collective ownership, and belonging to people who 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. Despite the existence of these art in transit programs, limited compiled information exists about how these programs are organized and funded. Little to no information exists on what benefits art in transit systems creates for the users of those systems, the communities around the systems, and the artists who participate.
Study Objectives
The objective of this synthesis was to document the use of art (permanent artwork, rotating installations, visual and performing art, and such) in public transit systems (commuter rail, bus, paratransit, and the like) throughout the United States and Canada, including what types of programs exist and why and how agencies use art in their transit systems. To achieve these objectives, the study team was governed by the following questions:
- What is “art in transit”?
- What examples of art can be found in transit systems?
- Where is art in transit located?
- What kinds of transit agencies have art in transit programs?
- Why do transit agencies include art in their transit systems?
- How are the benefits of art in transit documented or captured?
- How is art in transit funded?
- How do transit agencies procure, select, and install art?
- How do transit agencies maintain, curate, and decommission or deaccession art?
- Who are the stakeholders involved in art in transit, and how are they engaged?
- What are the challenges related to art in transit?
Rather than creating a point-in-time inventory of all art in transit programs in the United States and Canada and related characteristics to answer these study questions, the research team intended to document the ranges of characteristics among existing art in transit programs and installations.
Methodology
The following baseline definition was established to guide the study:
Art in transit is a broad category that encompasses any art (visual, performance, etc.) installed by a transit agency or at an agencyʼs facilities that is viewable by paying customers or the public. This would include installations procured through a variety of means, including dedicated “art in transit” programs. Art in
transit likely requires engaging an artist or group of artists, whether professional or amateur, regardless of the artistʼs home location. For example, salvaging and displaying architectural components of a dismantled bridge alone likely would not qualify as art in transit unless those components were incorporated into an artistic installation created by an artist. Advertisements, regardless of their design quality, also would not qualify as art in transit. The study team did not consider art and design elements related to highways and roads, active transportation, or other spaces in the public realm.
The study was structured into the following sequential tasks:
- Literature Review
- Identify and synthesize literature that addresses the study questions.
- Identify gaps in the existing literature.
- Survey
- Gather additional information that addresses the study questions via an online survey, distributed broadly to transit agencies in the United States and Canada.
- Analyze survey results.
- Identify likely case examples.
- Case Examples
- Develop five case examples that cover a range of geographies, transit system sizes, and transit services provided and a range of artworks in transit.
- Synthesize Findings in a Report
Report Audience and Relevance
This synthesis report is intended for transit managers and other stakeholders who are interested in learning about the kinds of programs, stakeholders, funding sources, benefits, and challenges related to art in transit either to improve existing art in transit programs or to create new art in transit projects or programs. It is apparent that many transit agencies believe that art provides benefits, and it is important to understand what these benefits and motivations are, who the relevant stakeholders are, and what challenges might be related to achieving these projects and their benefits.
