Overview

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. One half of one percent (0.5%) of rail construction costs are allocated to the creation of original art works. 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.

To join our artist mailing list, call 213.922.4ART.

Art Tours

Metro offers regularly scheduled as well as special request group 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.

Special Request Tours

Free art tours for groups of 15 or more are available by special arrangement. More information is available by calling 213.922.2738 or by clicking Art Tours.

General Information:

The tours are approximately 90% walking; there are elevators and escalators in all the stations.

The Docents distribute date-stamped badges that allow you to ride the entire Metro Rail system for free on the day of the tour. Docents carry voice amplifiers and wear bright orange vests for easy identification.

Children at or above a 5th grade level may participate on the scheduled and private group tours.

There are no public restrooms available in the stations but there are restrooms available to the public at Union Station and the Hollywood/Highland shopping complex.

Art Guide

A pocket size brochure depicting all artworks on the Metro transit system is available by request. Please call 213.922.4ART or by clicking Art Guide, and include your mailing address in your message. The brochure was updated in July 2007 and is a perfect complement for self guided tours of the artworks. It features a system map, artist information and brief description of the artworks. 

Artist Opportunities

In order to join our mailing list to hear about public art opportunities please e-mail us your name, mailing address, telephone number and e-mail address.

Metro Art shares its mailing list – on a carefully selected basis – with other public art programs seeking to inform artists of additional opportunities.

Call to Artists

There no open calls at this time, please use the email above to be notified of opportunities.