Click here to read the April 2005 news release on TTA's Art in Transit Program

Art in Transit Program

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What is the Triangle Transit Authority Art in Transit Program?

2. Why is TTA implementing an Art in Transit Program?

3. Is there a unifying theme for the Art Program?

4. How many art opportunities were available?

5. What is the Art in Transit Program budget?

6. How does this budget break down per art opportunity?

7. What costs do individual artist budgets cover?

8. What costs does the contingency fund cover?

9. Is this budget an addition to the Regional Rail Transit System budget?

10. How was the Art in Transit Program Budget determined?

11. Did the Art in Transit Program use primarily local or state artists?

12. What type of artworks will be commissioned?

13. Where will artworks be integrated?

14. How were the areas for art integration determined?

15. Do other transit projects have Art in Transit Programs?

16. Who will select the artists?

17. When will artists be selected?

18. What is the selection criteria?

1. What is the Triangle Transit Authority Art in Transit Program?

The Art in Transit Program, a public art competition sponsored by the Triangle Transit Authority in Research Triangle Park, North Carolina, will place integrated works of art into each of the twelve Regional Rail Transit System stations.

2. Why is TTA implementing an Art in Transit Program?

The Art in Transit Program is viewed as a means to make more people-friendly places and to offer the communities that surround individual stations an opportunity to celebrate their history and unique sense of place.

3. Is there a unifying theme for the Art Program?

The unifying theme for the Art in Transit Program is “Make the Connection.” Connection is a multi-layered concept that implies connection from community to community, connection from home to place, and connection of place to memory. Artworks will both tie communities together and create memorable experiences at individual stations.

4. How many art opportunities were available?

There are four projects – the Ribbon, Community Gateways, Community Canvases and Neighborhood Plates – and thirteen artist commission opportunities available within these projects. One artist was selected for each of the Ribbon, Community Gateways and Community Canvases projects, and ten artists were selected for the Neighborhood Plates project.

5. What is the Art in Transit Program budget?

The Program budget is $600,000. $520,000 is available for art. The remaining dollars are placed in a contingency fund for project support and administration.

6. How does this budget break down per art opportunity?

Individual art project budgets break down as follows: the Ribbon - $200,000; Community Gateways - $150,000; Community Canvases - $150,000; and, Neighborhood Plates - $20,000.

7. What costs do individual artist budgets cover?

Art budgets cover all costs associated with design and completion of art projects including artist design fees, materials costs, fabrication and installation costs, artwork shipping and transit costs, artist travel costs, and other incidental administrative costs.

8. What costs does the contingency fund cover?

The contingency fund covers all costs associated with program administration, the artist selection process project promotion, documentation, and education, among others.

9. Is this budget an addition to the Regional Rail Transit System budget?

No. This budget is included within the Regional Rail Transit System budget.

10. How was the Art in Transit Program Budget determined?

The Triangle Transit Authority Board of Trustees determined that approximately $50,000 per station be set aside for public artworks along the transit line.

11. Will the Art in Transit Program use primarily local or state artists?

With the exception of the Neighborhood Plates projects, commission opportunities were open to all artists regardless of residency.

12. What type of artworks will be commissioned?

All artworks will be “integrated” into the station architecture of the Regional Rail Transit System.

13. Where will artworks be integrated?

Artworks will be integrated into station platform and plaza area paving, gates and fencing, windscreens and columns.

14. How were the areas for art integration determined?

TTA held a series of community workshops between September and December of 2003. This Public Participation Process included hands on participation from citizens who live in and around the station areas. A total of 26 meetings were held in geographic cluster areas of Durham, Cary and Raleigh, and in Research Triangle Park.

15. Do other transit projects have Art in Transit Programs?

Yes. Many other transit projects include artists in their design and construction projects and processes. The Federal Transportation Administration promotes the inclusion of Art in Transit Programs in transit projects and has set guidelines for appropriate inclusion of artworks (FTA Circular 9400.1A). The Regional Rail Transit System’s Art in Transit Program operates within these guidelines.

16. Who selected the artists?

The TTA Board of Trustees has appointed an Art Advisory Committee and an Artist Selection Committee. The committees are comprised of members of local arts, culture and education communities served by the Regional Rail Transit System.

17. When will artists be selected?

The artist selection process will take place during the spring of 2005. It is anticipated that final selections will be made by summer 2005.

18. What is the selection criteria?

Selection criteria includes, but will not be limited to the following:

        -Quality of Work
        -Maintenance Considerations
        -Experience of Artist
        -Experience Working in Similar Medium
        -Experience in Projects of Similar Size and Scale
        -Experience in Public Art
        -Experience Working in a Team Environment

        -Reputation of artist for following budgets and meeting deadlines in a professional 

         manner