Making the Journey a Destination

This paper discusses the benefits of incorporating art into transportation infrastructure, and provides some suggestions on how to navigate the financial, political and public challenges that may arise from the effort. Infusions of art into transportation infrastructure can help generate a sense of place, engage communities and support economic development. Art enhancements can help improve boring concrete surfaces, unwelcoming public spaces, and disruption of existing neighborhoods when new roads and noise walls are installed. Communities also find that art in transportation serves as a way of incorporating local culture into projects. Despite the many benefits of incorporating art into transportation projects, there are obstacles. In a time of tight budgets, identifying funding to cover the cost of public art can be challenging. The Federal Highway Administration’s Transportation Enhancement program activities can help meet the financial need. Devoting a fraction of the overall cost of constructing federally funded transportation infrastructure to quality improvements enables smaller communities to commission major artwork. Federal funding also makes possible large-scale projects that cross many jurisdictions. Defining a scope of work and structuring a public art procurement process that complies with Federal competition requirements and State department of transportation (DOT) procedures also can be challenging, so many states hire experienced consulting firms or partner with local arts commissions to develop and administer the process. Many communities also set aside a percentage of the local budget of capital construction projects for art. Partnerships with the private sector and business improvement districts also can be effective in generating funds. Another major challenge in integrating art and transportation is establishing political support. Public art boosters need to obtain buy-in from both stakeholders within DOTs, as well as members of the public, arts organizations, community groups, elected officials, and artists. The key to building political support is to emphasize that art in transportation is not frivolous, but instead is functional and serves the needs and goals of projects.