Meeting_Body
EXECUTIVE MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE
JUNE 18, 2020
Preamble
Motion by:
DIRECTORS BUTTS, SOLIS, GARCETTI, AND HAHN
Uplifting The Human Spirit Through Metro Art
On Saturday June 6th the L. A. Times published in its Saturday Section (F) 14 different artworks from different artists under the title “California Artists Express the Pain of Injustice.”
I’ve been periodically reminded by my staff that Metro has a long history in the forefront as a leader in integrating public art into transit construction projects. Our Metro Rail stations are famous for their artworks. We even have people taking tours of the station artworks.
As I mentioned in my State of the Agency remarks, we are currently faced with two concurrent tragedies and the artwork published in the Times spoke to the moment of the outpouring of grief and anger across our county and nation.
Mayor Garcetti spoke of re-imagining LA County transportation and I would propose that we consider ways in which the arts might play a role in that transformation that goes beyond transit infrastructure.
The Arts are a powerful means of bringing people together across borders of all kinds. Much of the inspiring news coverage/media attention at present is often about how the artists are expressing and conveying the longstanding pain of injustice.
As we are undertaking strategies to encourage people to return and use public transportation wisely and more often, I would like to see us explore ways to formally incorporate arts programming into areas beyond construction. As people ride busses and trains in this troublesome era, we should balance Metro safety messaging with welcoming creative artworks that mitigate anxieties and add a touch of humanity. Let us use this tragedy to help uplift the human spirit through art.
Subject
SUBJECT: UPLIFTING THE HUMAN SPIRIT THROUGH METRO ART
Heading
RECOMMENDATION
Title
APPROVE Motion by Directors Butts, Solis, Garcetti, and Hahn that the Board direct the CEO to return in the August Board cycle with a Report back on how Metro can:
• Integrate Metro Art programs into our trains, busses;
• Champion artistic experimentation including provocative works that are responsive to the issues and concerns of our time; and
• Think about how artists might be included in the Reimagining of transportation