CODAworx maintains a database of published projects, including many specific to commissioned works in settings that serve the public’s need for transportation — regardless of the mode of movement. The database allows for entries describing commissioned art projects specific to vehicular traffic (bridges, roundabouts and roadways) and for bicycles and foot traffic (walkways and bike paths). A review of entries within the last 36 months provides artists, commissioners, developers and architects with insight into the total, highest and median commission value of art installations occurring in these settings.
According to the organization Transportation for America, “Transportation systems can and should be a powerful tool to help people access opportunity, drive economic development, improve health and safety, and build the civic and social capital that binds communities.”1 Increasingly, urban planners are involving artists in creative placemaking activities where art plays an intentional and integrated role in place-based community planning and development.
Transportation for America defines creative placemaking in the context of transportation as follows: “Creative placemaking harnesses the power of arts and culture to allow for more genuine public engagement — particularly in low-income neighborhoods, communities of color and among immigrant populations — in the development of transportation projects. Done right, creative placemaking can lead to both a better process and a better product. The end results are streets, sidewalks and public spaces that welcome us, inspire us and move us in every sense of that word.”2
While commission profiles according to highest and median are important, a review of entries in the CODAworx database demonstrates how the artwork and design of individual projects create safe, welcoming, culturally appropriate and aesthetically pleasing venues for walking, biking and driving. Commissions are described below, as are design goals in terms of their attention to aesthetics, safety and cultural relevance — critical elements of proper placemaking.
Commission Value — Bridges, Roundabouts and Roadways and Walkways and Bike Paths
Commission activity in these transportation related settings is summarized below:
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Commissions Profile: Commercial Art Installations (36 months ending August 10, 2020) |
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Category |
# |
Total Commissions ($) |
Largest Commission ($) |
Median Commission ($) |
|
All |
211 |
46,133,263 |
3,200,000 |
277,911 |
|
Bridges, Roundabouts and Roadways |
203 |
45,888,261 |
3,200,000 |
283,261 |
|
Walkways and Bike Paths |
8 |
245,000 |
135,000 |
61,250 |
Commission Value — Bridges, Roundabouts and Roadways
During the study period, Bridges, Roundabouts and Roadways accounted for the largest number of commissions (203), with a median commission fee of approximately $278,000. Twelve (12) projects had commission values greater than $1 million; four (4) had values greater than $2 million and one (1) had a value greater than $3 million. The largest commission fee was $3.2 million and occurred with the project Midway Crossings in Chicago, IL. Midway Crossings makes a coherent connection between two areas of the University of Chicago campus, linking bike, pedestrian and vehicular traffic. According to the project team, “This project grew out of community conflicts and problems within this neglected historic site, which was perceived as a barrier cutting through the University’s north and south campuses but more critically a barrier that separated the underserved South Side of Chicago from the more affluent north side, Hyde Park. Students and the public generally avoided this area at night due to a history of incidents.” The project utilizes stainless steel, LED and light pipe to deliver both a means of pedestrian wayfinding and safety.
Representative of the median commission value is Prelude DTLA ($300,000). Installed as an illuminated gateway into downtown Los Angeles, CA, the work features conceptual lighting design mirroring the city’s skyline. The lighting technology can be remotely controlled for any occasion — from celebrating sports team wins and festive holidays to participating in culturally relevant conversations.
Commission Value — Walkways and Bike Paths
In the same study period, Walkways and Bike Paths garnered $245,000 in reported commissions. These projects receive relatively small commission values, with the average being just more than $60,000. The largest commission (SPINNRADL) is valued at $135,000. The work is an installation of stainless steel music boxes in the Pendleton area of Cincinnati, OH. The sculptures include Moire animations and are activated by a crank, playing songs that evoke the rich history of the neighborhood. Extensive community engagement informed the design of the artwork. According to the artists, the “goal was to create gateway artwork that heralded entry to the historic, culturally diverse neighborhood of Pendleton, celebrating the vibrancy of this historically underserved community.” Materials used include aluminum, ceramic tile, stainless steel, paint, and lexan.
Hopscotch Crosswalk Colossus, with a commission value of $80,000, is representative of the median commission. Located in Baltimore, MD, the work creates an intersection of four oversized painted hopscotch-court-crosswalks, each featuring a quintessential Baltimore path-print. Featuring the shoe, the bird track, the boot and the footprint, the project is a monument to the people who populate the Bromo Tower Arts & Entertainment District.
Publish Your Projects
CODAworx is a leading authority on commissioned art and maintains a comprehensive database of information regarding RFPs, commissioning entities, budgets, and awards. Tapping into this database enables CODAweekly to feature regular Industry Reports by design segment (commercial, hospitality, healthcare, etc.) that highlights top artists, trends in commission fees, and more.
We encourage you to add information to the CODAworx database by publishing a project to our Project Library or populate data on projects already in the database. Anyone involved in the collaborative process can publish a project on CODAworx. This includes the artist and creative teams, design professionals and other commissioners, and industry resources such as fabricators, engineers, installers, lighting designers, videographers, and more. Potential clients, commissioners, collaborators and your peers will get to know you and your work. They can contact you directly through the CODAworx messaging system.
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