Public art in transit spaces can foster a sense of safety, belonging, and shared ownership. TRB hosted a webinar on Thursday, May 28, 2026 from 11:00 AM to 12:30 PM Eastern that explored how public transportation agencies across the United States and Canada incorporate art—including permanent installations, rotating exhibits, and visual and performing arts—into systems such as commuter rail, bus, and paratransit. Presenters examined the types of programs in place, how they are organized and funded, and the motivations behind integrating art into transit environments.
This webinar was based on TCRP Synthesis 186: The State of Art in Transit Programs.
This webinar was sponsored by TRB’s Transit Cooperative Research Program.
The slides are available.
 
Webinar agenda and presenters

• Report review – Daniel Mascoop, EBP
• MARTA Artbound – Katherine Dirga, MARTA
• Metro Transit’s public art in transit – Mark Granlund, Metro Transit
• Question and answer session moderated by Naomi Stein, EBP

The first 60 minutes of the webinar were for presentations and the final 30 minutes were reserved for audience questions.
 
Learning Objectives
At the end of this webinar, participants can:

• Describe how transit agencies manage and fund art
• Explain how art in transit programs select (site, artist, medium), install, maintain, curate and deaccession artworks
• Assess how art in transit is valued

 
American Institute of Certified Planners Certification Maintenance Credits
This webinar was approved by the American Planning Association (APA) for 1.5 Certification Maintenance (CM) Credits. CM credits provide continuing education opportunities for AICP Certified Planners to continue their professional skills and knowledge. To receive CM credits, Certified Planners should visit the TRB event webpage on American Planning Association and register their participation. If you have problems reporting your CM credits or have general questions about the CM program, please contact the APA.