File #: 2020-0427   
Type: Motion / Motion Response Status: Passed
File created: 6/18/2020 In control: Executive Management Committee
On agenda: 6/18/2020 Final action: 6/25/2020
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
Sponsors: Board of Directors - Regular Board Meeting
Indexes: Eric Garcetti, Hilda Solis, James Butts, Janice Hahn, Metro Art, Motion / Motion Response
Related files: 2020-0447, 2020-0471, 2020-0566

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