Metro, Los Angeles

Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority (Metro)
Hollywood and Los Angeles
http://www.metro.net/about/art/

Metro commissions artists to incorporate art into a wide array of transportation projects throughout Los Angeles County. From bus stops to rail stations, streetscapes to bus interiors, construction fences to poetry works, art creates a sense of place and engages transit riders.

Established in 1989, Metro's Art Department has commissioned over 300 artists for a wide variety of projects. Artists are selected through a peer review process with community input; all works are created especially for their transit-related sites.

Described as “one of the most imaginative public art programs in the country”[1] Metro has received numerous design and artistic excellence awards. Known for its interdisciplinary approach as well as the broad range of artists that have been commissioned, Metro is also recognized for its innovative and successful community involvement. Strong support has been demonstrated by municipal and corporate contributions of over $1.5 million.

Art Tours
Metro offers regularly scheduled tours of the artwork in the Metro Rail system. Tours are led by trained Metro Docent Council volunteers.

Metro’s Docent Council is a group of volunteers committed to increasing awareness of the broad range of art in the Metro Rail system through public tours that provide insights into the artworks, the artists who created them, the processes it took to make them, and the communities they enhance. While docent programs are commonly found at museums around the world, Metro is the first transit agency to benefit from such a program.

Scheduled Tours
Free tours are offered the first Thursday, Saturday and Sunday of every month. The tours are roundtrip and last approximately 2 hours. No reservations are required.

First Thursday - Meet promptly at 7 pm at the street level entrance to the Hollywood/Highland Metro Rail Station on Hollywood Blvd. near the corner with Highland Ave. If driving to Hollywood/Highland station, park at the Visitors' Center at the Hollywood/Highland shopping center complex to obtain partial parking validation.

First Saturday - Meet promptly at 10 a.m. at the street level entrance to the Hollywood/Highland Metro Rail Station on Hollywood Blvd. near the corner with Highland Ave. If driving to Hollywood/Highland station, park at the Visitors’ Center at the Hollywood/Highland shopping center complex to obtain partial parking validation.

First Sunday - Meet promptly at 10 a.m. at the information booth inside the entrance to historic Union Station at 900 Alameda St. in Downtown Los Angeles. There is pay parking at Union Station and metered street parking, and pay lots in the immediate area.


An Art Guide is also available for self tours. See their website.