Some of the CTA's unadorned train stations are about to get a bit more beautiful. Yesterday, the Tribune reported that $2.5 million in Federal Transit Agency funds will be spent on new public art installations at 10 trains stations and one bus station. According to the report, "six Blue Line stops, one Brown Line, two Green Line, one Pink Line and the bus stop at Chicago Avenue and Austin Boulevard" will receive new pieces of public art once the CTA tracks down artists.
Commissions for each piece can range from $100,000 to $250,000, depending on the complexity and cost of the proposed art installation. CTA art consultant Elizabeth Kelley told the Tribune, “Artists who we commission are not required to have prior experience with public art projects. We are seeking artists who make compelling, provocative, interesting work that seems like it would be a good fit.” A formal call for artists will be published on the CTA's website by the end of the week. Artists will have until April 1 to submit proposals.
