Subway Arts Programs: Assessment and Justification for Public Funding (New York, London, Brussels)

Since the 1960s, government founded subway arts programs have arisen in public transport systems all over the world. Advocates argue that art works enhance the traveler's subway experience by providing aesthetically pleasant environments in subway stations, thus contributing to other indirect benefits. However, few subway arts programs have formal tools in place for measuring their impact. This essay compares the programs in New York, London and Brussels to identify if and how they are assessing themselves in order to justify their reliance on public funding and prepare for the future. It proposes a set of recommendations for the assessment of subway arts programs around the world, taking into account each city's particular context and needs.