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Every great place — whether small town, big city, local neighborhood — also has a unique sense of itself that’s reflected in or supported by artists and local culture. Because the arts are a core part of strengthening the social, physical, and economic fabric of communities, they’re also a key part of smarter growth, which is all about building great, sustainable, livable places.

The power of creative placemaking is gaining wider recognition among transportation professionals, and the art world is responding and finding new ways to collaborate.

The ArtPlace Transportation Field Scan, a forthcoming report from our Transportation for America program in partnership with ArtPlace America, will examine creative placemaking projects across the U.S. that demonstrate ways that arts and culture involvement can deliver transportation projects more smoothly and quickly, improve safety, and build community support. The Field Scan also aims to introduce arts audiences to the transportation challenges and opportunities faced by local officials, so that artists may more effectively engage with them.

Stay tuned for the official release on September 27. Click here to sign up now for our new Arts & Culture focused list where we’ll regularly be sharing more about this work.

In the meantime, we’re holding a month-long celebration of the positive impact that arts and culture have on our communities through a handful of inspiring local stories. Follow Arts & Culture Month as we demonstrate how arts and culture are not a “nice to have” when it comes to transportation or local community development projects — they’re essential.