Metro Art Bus

The Metro Art Bus initiative was developed as an easing back into public space after the isolation of the early days of the pandemic. COVID-19 hit public transportation hard, but even harder hit were the essential workers (including Metro front line workers) relying on the public transit system and working on the front lines every day. In addition to the relational aspects of community health, we all became more acutely aware of the fragility of our mortality and the systemic barriers to racial equity, leaving many fearful for their safety. Public space no longer felt comfortable.

Recognizing the ability of the arts to bring people together in ways that are inspiring, welcoming and add humanity to our public spaces, Metro Art launched a series of onboard programs with the following goals in mind:
· Nurture safe, welcoming, and inclusive transportation spaces;
· Promote positive, prosocial, compassionate, and empathetic behaviors in public places, including transit; and,
· Foster a sense of community and belonging among Metro ridership.

The Metro Art Bus encapsulates these goals, by creating a welcoming, immersive environment reflective of Metro riders. This county-wide, direct encounter with art provides a bright and uplifting moment of joy as the art buses transport Metro’s broadest base of transit riders (75% of Metro’s ridership are bus riders) and connect neighborhoods across LA County. As one of the largest bus systems in the country, this high visibility mobile exhibition shares work that is intimate, immediate and relevant.

The inaugural Metro Art Bus took Metro Art’s multi-site exhibition series, “We Are…Portraits of Metro Riders by Local Artists” on the road. Celebrating diversity of both Los Angeles and Metro’s community of transit riders this series features original portraits of customers by transit-riding artists. Each rider portrait represents a single story among many– with personal ties to the neighborhoods Metro serves.

Metro Art worked with 22 community curatorial advisors to develop the rider portrait series, which features approximately 60 Metro riders in portraits created by 41 local artists. Select portraits on the Metro Art Bus were featured on TAP transit fare cards and were on view in the Union Station Passageway Art Gallery and on digital displays at rail stations. Metro Art worked closely with LA Metro’s in house designers to adapt the portrait series as a mobile experience for bus.

Initially three buses within the Metro System were transformed into Metro Art Buses. The buses have since become a well-loved sight on city streets, bringing joy back to the public transit experience, helping to bolster morale and customer rapport. As a result, a fourth Metro Art Bus was recently added.

The Metro Art Bus exemplifies Metro’s customer and community-centered values. It is regularly requested for community events ranging from the West Hollywood Pride Parade to CicLAvia, LA’s open streets event. In addition, Metro Art printed a miniature pop-out Metro Art Bus to distribute at events. This popular giveaway allows people to take a little bit of Metro—and art—home with them.

The successful Metro Art Bus program will continue as an ongoing series. With artwork commissioned by Metro Art that connects with riders, meeting them where they are, and providing a mobile art experience throughout Los Angeles County. The Metro Art Bus is one of the many ways that Metro Art transforms the public transit experience into a pleasurable human-centered journey.

Design Team

Metro Art, 41 commissioned artists and Metro’s in house design studio

Photo Credits

LA Metro

Open Date

July 2022