The Maryland Transit Administration (MTA) is seeking artists to create artwork and artistic enhancements for the future Purple Line Transit System as part of its Art-In-Transit program. Artists and teams of artists are being asked to submit applications by Nov. 14, to create public artwork for the Purple Line stations and connecting infrastructure.
If selected, artists will be paid a stipend to create artwork proposals for specific station(s) location(s) and may be awarded a contract to design and integrate artwork into a station’s overall infrastructure.
Approximately 21 Purple Line locations have been designated as Art-in-Transit opportunities including three aerial stations and other areas to be enhanced including walls, steel structures and fencing. This Call for Artists is open to all professional artists or artists’ teams with public art experience. If selected for the approved roster, qualified artists will be assigned one or more specific opportunities by location and paid a stipend to create artwork proposals for specific station(s) or individual location(s).
From these proposals, artists may be competitively selected for award of contracts to design and integrate artwork into the overall station and infrastructure. Artists would also work with the communities to create artwork that highlights the cultural vitality of the region, and reflect the artistic, cultural and/or historical interests of the surrounding communities.
“This is a great opportunity for local talent to gain visibility creating works that reflect our communities,” said MTA Administrator and CEO Robert Smith. “This competition will enhance our public transit system and we look forward to receiving some great art designs for our future Purple Line transit system.”
The Federal Transit Administration (FTA) requires certain criteria be used when artists are involved in the planning and design of transit projects including: durability of material, impact on mass-transit customers, connection to site and/or adjacent community, minimum maintenance and quality of art or design.
