Gallery 24/7: Art on Traffic Control Boxes

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

Gallery 24-7 Guide

This project has been made possible, in part, by the N. J. State Council on the Arts, a partner agency of the National Endowment for the Arts, through the State/County Partnership  Local Arts Program Grant; the Somerset County Board of Chosen Freeholder; and Somerset County Cultural & Heritage Commission.   Source of funding for this grant comes from dedicated Hotel /Motel Occupancy Tax via state legislation (2003), which provides for a stable, renewable source for state funding of the arts, history and tourism. Cultural grants awarded by the NJSCA are supported by this revenue so the NJ taxpayer does not pay for public support of the arts through property, sales or income tax.