Public Art Conference Archive—2003
Study Session: Trailblazers in Transit
Friday, June 6, 2003, 2:15–3:30
Followed by a tour of Interstate MAX and Albert Street by Mary Priester
Presenters:
Rebecca Banyas, Consultant, Portland, OR
Mary Priester, TriMet, Portland, OR
Sarah B. Smith, Bi-State Development Agency, St. Louis, MO
Overview
Hear from two veteran art in transit programs, and what they have learned over the years about what works and what doesn’t in an art in transit program. See some examples of successful projects and hear their best advice for new or potential programs. And finally, how do these programs measure success?
Sarah Smith, Art program director for Bi-State in St. Louis will discuss one of the earliest integrated art programs in the nation.
Mary Priester, director of TriMet’s Public Art Program in Portland, will discuss the development of Portland’s transit public art program, and then lead a tour of Interstate MAX project.
Rebecca Banyas will moderate the discussion, and present ingredients for a successful program:
- Early planning: tapping into project funds
- A program plan
- A clear goal for collaborations
- Definitive roles for the artist
- Scrupulous review of work by a conservator/engineer before it is fabricated
- Solid agreements on maintenance/conservation
- The need for evaluation, research and documentation in the field
