about the
transit arts program

NJ TRANSIT's Transit Arts Program is based on the philosophy that art is essential to the overall transportation experience. Carefully, planned and conceived, art is woven into the design, resulting in a more enjoyable and efficient transportation experience.

The program was created to integrate artwork into the architectural design of transit facilities, creating inspirational places that improve the riding experience for customers and enhance the beauty of public spaces within communities. The Transit Arts Program was piloted with the Hudson-Bergen Light Rail project in 1994 and became a corporate-wide program in 1996. Today, NJ TRANSIT has more than 150 art installations through our transporation systems.

explore
the artwork

how we are
funded

The State of New Jersey Arts Inclusion Act (P.L. 1978, c117) mandates that all state-funded projects allocate up to 1.5% of the construction cost.

get with the
program

A Transit Arts Committee is formed for each project and is comprised of NJ TRANSIT staff, engineers, architects, artists, representatives from the New Jersey State Council on the Arts, and representatives from communities where station construction or rehab is planned. The program director guides the committee's outreach to artists and helps to select finalists.

procurement process

The Transit Art Program focuses on the most appropriate art for each site. The program considers local, regional, and national artists, both known and unknown. Each NJ TRANSIT Transit Art project is listed online at Callforentry.org by the New Jersey State Council on the Arts.

CallForEntry.org

www.nj.gov/state/njsca/index.html

selection of artists

Requests for Proposal are sent to shortlisted artists who are judged on the following criteria:

  • Artistic quality of the proposed artwork.
  • Appropriateness of the proposed artwork to the site and objective of the project.
  • Permanence, durablity, maintainability and use of high-quality materials.
  • Absence of hazards to the public.
  • Recommended measures to protect against vandalism.

contact information

Transit Arts
Christine Blanco / [email protected]