Programs
Arts and Culture
Arts and culture plays a crucial role in supporting our vision by providing an organizing force for residents, business owners, and other stakeholders to work towards strengthening neighborhoods, by revealing the authentic character of communities, and by connecting citizens with decision makers to collectively pursue smart, equitable policies and projects.
A first-of-its-kind initiative
Smart Growth America partnered with state Departments of Transportation to launch the nation’s first-ever artist-in-residence programs focused on transportation issues.
These programs embed artists within transportation agencies, fostering:
- Creative approaches to complex transportation challenges.
- New ideas for improving safety, reducing congestion, and promoting sustainable mobility.
- Deeper understanding of community needs and aspirations for transportation infrastructure.
State spotlight
- Washington State: Washington became the first state with a full-time artist team. Read about Mary Welcome and Kelly Gregory’s groundbreaking program.
- Minnesota: Minnesota’s AIR program featured community vitality fellow Marcus Young. He answered some questions before starting the fellowship here in this post.
National impact
The Transportation Artists in Residence Report delves into the program’s successes, challenges, and recommendations for future initiatives.
Creative placemaking isn’t just about beautification. It’s a strategic approach that integrates arts and culture into the planning and design of transportation infrastructure.
