Bridge Pier photo by Robert Pettus
AIT’s primary role was to establish and coordinate a unique collaboration of artists, engineers and architects on the design of the rail system. The result is an award-winning system that has exceeded all ridership expectations.
In 1989, while construction of MetroLink was in progress, AIT launched ArtLink, a series of temporary public art installations by regional and national artists along the developing route. These works brought community awareness and excitement to the transit system. AIT further encouraged community interest in MetroLink with speakers, neighborhood art exhibits, school programs, and the AIT Art Bus, a MetroBus vehicle painted with a transit theme that served as a traveling gallery exhibition of AIT projects.
AIT has become a catalyst for enabling neighborhood residents to weave MetroLink stations into the fabric of their community. As Gordon Linton, former Administrator of the Federal Transit Administration has noted: “The Bi-State Development Agency (Metro) and Arts in Transit have recognized that well-coordinated community involvement and excellence in art and design helps develop public environments that are well- used and that contribute to both the social and economic well-being of the community.”
In April of 1999, Metro's Board of Commissioners adopted a policy that emphasized the importance of design excellence, the integral role of artists and community involvement, and established a percent-for-art funding mechanism. The Commissioners also authorized the establishment of a public/private Community Partnership program to raise revenue and recognize the contribution of individuals and the community toward the funding of transit infrastructure projects and improvements. These policies provide a framework important for ensuring that future area transit projects – including MetroLink expansion and bus system enhancements – will be designed and developed in such a way that they will become active, attractive, vital assets of the region’s neighborhoods.
Past Directors
Ann Ruwitch (1987-1994)
As Director for the AIT Initiative, Ann Ruwitch
- provided administrative support for the AIT Committee
- developed and administered budgets, grants, and donations for the AIT
Inititiative
- managed the master planning project for the right-of-way, including landscape design and construction
- developed special projects which brought added value to MetroLink
- Managed the Development Task Force
- Organized the process for AIT involvement in MetroLink Extensions
- Managed the MetroLink artists
- Developed project documentation
- Organized and administered neighborhood advisory forums
- Acted as liaison between Agency and community on arts and transit issues
- Planned and implemented educational programs and publicity campaigns
- Raised funds to commission artwork and organized juries to select artists
Sarah B. Smith (1994-2003)
Sarah Smith is a public arts administrator and urban planner. As Director of AIT, Smith oversaw programs that improved the transit system and built community partnerships through a place-making approach that integrated public art, urban design, and community development initiatives. She developed Metro's Design and Percent-for-Art program and secured over $3 million for special community development and enhancement projects. Additional programs included innovative temporary and permanent site-specific installations and involving artists as collaborators in the design of major infrastructure plans, such as bus transfer and passenger centers, streetscape and transit plazas, and the new Cross County MetroLink extension.
Sarah has over 20 years of experience serving in several senior positions in both the public and private sectors in Washington D.C., Denver, as well as St. Louis. She holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Political Science from Boston College and a Master’s Degree in Urban and Regional Planning from George Washington University.