The Honolulu rail project will make about $5 million available to buy works of art to dress up the system’s 21 train stations, and the city expects to invite artists from across the nation to compete for a chance to win commissions.
The proposed Hono- lulu Authority for Rapid Transportation budget for fiscal year 2014 includes $1.975 million in the latest dollop of funding for the local Art in Transit program, money that is expected to cover the cost of contracts with about 10 artists.
Artwork financed with that money would be displayed in the Dillingham Boulevard and Kakaako Station groups, and the city may offer the public an opportunity to participate in the artist selection.
The city has already set aside $694,000 for works of art in the Farrington Station group, which includes the West Loch, Leeward Community College and Waipahu Transit Center stations.
Lisa Yoshihara, HART’s Transit Arts Program administrator, said in a written statement that the city "wants the art to reflect a ‘sense of place’ that recognizes Hawaii’s multicultural landscape and reflects the community, or ahupuaa in which the station resides."
"We are currently developing a plan to engage the community and artists in this exciting opportunity to integrate art into our stations," Yoshihara said. "We plan to unveil the program next year with a call for artists, which will include a workshop on how to apply. We will continue to keep the community informed as we move through the process."
The Art in Transit program is eligible for federal funding, and the Federal Transit Administration encourages transit authorities to involve local businesses and residents in generating ideas for artwork.
The idea behind the program is that "the visual quality of the nation’s mass transit systems has a profound impact on transit patrons and the community at large," according to FTA guidelines for the art program. "Mass transit systems should be positive symbols for cities, attracting local riders, tourists and the attention of decision makers for national and international events."
The FTA also suggests cities encourage artists to interact with the community or work directly with residents and businesses on projects.
Federal guidelines call for transit projects to provide between 0.5 percent and 5 percent for Art in Transit. The city plans to provide 1 percent of the estimated cost of the stations, or about $5 million.
The FTA deliberately defines "art" broadly, allowing works ranging from free-standing sculpture to wall pieces to functional elements such as lighting, seating or railings.
The funding proposed for next year for the Dillingham station group will include Kalihi Station at Dillingham Boulevard and Mokauea Street; the Kapalama Station on Dillingham at Honolulu Community College; and Iwilei Station on Kaaahi Street near Dillingham; and the Chinatown station planned for Kekaulike Street and Nimitz Highway.
Also proposed for funding next year is art for the Kakaako Station group, which includes the Downtown Station just Diamond Head of Bishop Street and Nimitz Highway; the Civic Center Station at Halekauwila and South streets; Kakaako Station at Halekauwila Street and Ward Avenue; and the Ala Moana Center Station at Kona and Kona Iki streets mauka of the shopping center.
