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WORLD CLASS STREETSNYC DOT may be the only city or state DOT inthe country with an assistant commissionerand program staff for public artURBAN ARTNYCDOT may be the only city or state DOT in the country with anassistant commissioner and program staff for public art. The unitruns a variety of programs that allow NYC artists to propose use ofpublic space—street surfaces, facades, jersey barriers—as a broadcanvass for all kinds of public art.Art is integral to DOT’s goal of world class streets and theagency’s strategy for changing how people use and experience thepublic right of way in the City. DOT’s Urban Art program enlivensthe urban landscape with unexpected temporary art installationson DOT properties. Artists help to transform the landscapefrom ordinary to extraordinary with temporary, unexpectedinterventions, colorful murals, dynamic light projections, andthought–provoking sculptures. Public plazas, fences, jerseybarriers, footbridges, and sidewalks serve as canvases fortemporary art in all five boroughs.DOT’s Urban Art initiatives rely on partnerships with communityorganizations and the creativity of artists to present site–responsive artwork. DOT has presented over 100 inspiring projectssince the Urban Art program was created in October 2008. Thegoals of the unit are to create attractive corridors and activatepublic space.In street intercept surveys at DOT Urban Art installations, 83%of respondents had positive feedback, in addition, 60% expressedinterest in revisiting the artwork.Street intercept surveys at DOT Urban Art installations foundthat sculptures, murals, and lighting design and projections werethe most popular, and plazas and sidewalks were preferred sites.West Farms Square Plaza, For Closure, Gabriela SalazarLeft: Flatiron Plaza, Bird, Will Ryman4th Avenue Median, Unparallel Way, Emily WeiskopfFollowing spread:Plan Ahead, Magda Sayeg, BrooklynContainer Series, Victoria Munro, Staten IslandSustainable Streets: 2013 and Beyond145