Gallery 24/7: Art on Traffic Control Boxes
A Public Art Project of the Somerset County Cultural & Heritage Commission
Project Summary
Somerset County Cultural & Heritage Commission (SCC&HC) initiated a countywide public art project beginning in 2010 entitled Gallery 24/7 to further integrate the arts into non-traditional venues to expand the reach of the arts; to broaden and diversify public exposure, interest in, and access to the arts; to expand exhibition opportunities for New Jersey visual artists; and welcome tourism to Somerset County. With the aid of dedicated funding provided by an arts grant, and through a competitive and professionally juried selection process, New Jersey visual artists were invited to create and submit original artwork for this project.. A total of 22 original artworks were reproduced on a special vinyl adhesive film and professionally applied to the exterior of selected county-owned Traffic Control Boxes (TCB) throughout Somerset County. Nine (9) more art works were selected in 2014.
Project Goals
-
Encourage, promote and support the talents and visibility of NJ visual artists by expanding public exhibition opportunities
-
Provide unique opportunities for an all-inclusive viewing public to access and enjoy visual art beyond a gallery or museum experience at their convenience, and “admission free”
-
Stimulate the local economy by welcoming & increasing cultural tourism
-
Provide creative experiences in unexpected public places by integrating the arts into non-traditional venues, and transforming the ordinary, into the extraordinary.
-
Provide a catalyst for dialogue; encourage socialization
-
Graffiti deterrent
-
Create and encourage partnership opportunities
-
Responds to the SCC&HC’s Long Range Plan
Benefits to Visual Artists
- A honorarium is provided to each artist whose artwork is selected
-
Wide distribution of companion promotional brochure
Identifying/highlighting featured artworks & artists, and encouraging tourism
-
Artwork accessible 24 hours a day, 7 days a week for 3-5 years
- Increased visibility for NJ visual artists
Made possible by funds from the Somerset County Cultural & Heritage Commission, a partner of the New Jersey State Council on the Arts.