Hi PAN Listserv,

Your action is needed for the federal STAR Act to support local spending on arts in transit and transportation projects. On June 25, Rep. Alma Adams (D-NC) introduced the Saving Transit Art Resources (STAR) Act. The STAR Act, H.R. 3437, will reinstate flexibility and allow local transportation authorities to incorporate art into federally-funded transit projects and facilities. For over three years, Americans for the Arts has been working with a dedicated committee of arts-in-transit program staff from around the country to correct this issue. Support the work of your colleagues by asking your member of Congress to cosponsor the STAR Act.

Take action now by asking your member of Congress to become a cosponsor of the STAR Act. Click here to get started!

Transit agencies and communities benefit from integrating art into transportation projects. For 30 years in cities and towns--small and large--across America, transit agencies have employed artists to enhance their projects. Artists aid in transit design, improve safety and security, increase ridership, reduce vandalism, facilitate communication and community pride, and boost economic activity through tourism.

This legislation was featured at the National Arts Action Summit in March 2019, and is included as an Issue Brief in the Congressional Arts Handbook. Americans for the Arts co-hosted a congressional briefing about the STAR Act with the Congressional Arts Caucus on June 27. Featured speakers were Katherine Stewart, legislative assistant to Rep. Adams, and Scott Goldstein, policy director at Transportation for America (T4A). The briefing was widely attended by congressional staffers on both sides of the aisle.

The STAR Act is also supported through the U.S Conference of Mayors adopted resolution Art in Public Transportation Projects.

Support public art across the U.S. by clicking the link above and sharing this information with your community.

Patricia Walsh

Public Art and Civic Design Senior Program Manager

Americans for the Arts

1000 Vermont Ave NW 6^th Floor

Washington, DC 20005-4940

202.371.2830 x2024