Rendering of new BRT bus station with integrated art

Southern Corridor BRT Public Art

Raleigh Arts | Wake Bus Rapid Transit Public Art Integration


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Public Art on the Southern BRT Corridor Transit Corridor Artist Station Artists: Windscreens and Railings Artist in Residence: David Wilson About the Project Timeline

Public Art on the Southern BRT Corridor

The City of Raleigh is looking to hire artists to create public art elements as part of the Wake BRT: Southern Corridor. There will be two opportunities, looking for 10 artists total. Learn more about the project scope, how to apply, and read the artist calls for both opportunities below.

A rendering of a bus corridor lined with trees.

Transit Corridor Artist

The City of Raleigh is looking for an artist to create up to three public art elements along the Wake BRT: Southern Corridor (Raleigh to Garner). Artwork could be freestanding or integrated into the existing landscape and should engage both pedestrian and vehicular traffic. Potential candidates are encouraged to think about their art would be placed along the open natural expanses and/or roadway infrastructure that exists between the nine transit station areas along the Southern BRT Corridor. Other possible opportunities could include art integration with a new pedestrian bridge or in the highway underpass. 

The selected artist will receive $160,000 to design and fabricate up to three installations along the corridor. They will work with the planning and design teams to integrate artwork into the landscape and built elements of the site.

Deadline to apply: December 21, 2025, by 11:59 p.m.

Read the RFQ 
Apply Online

Read the complete artist call document (RFQ) to learn about the timeline, selection process, and more.

 

Example of windscreen art on a bus shelter

Station Artists: Windscreens and Railings

The City of Raleigh is looking for nine artists to create artwork designs for windscreens and cut metal railings at BRT stations as part of the planned Southern Corridor. Artist designs should be unique and aesthetically pleasing, and speak to the community character, stories, and/or histories associated with each station. Selected artists will collaborate with the project team (artists, architects, and engineers) to design a cohesive aesthetic experience at each bus station. 

The Artist fee for the project is $6,000 for one shelter design or $10,000 for two shelter designs Artists will provide vector files, and the Artwork fabrication and installation will be managed by the City of Raleigh. The Artist Selection Panel is responsible for station assignments, and which artists are assigned one or two shelters. 

Deadline to apply: December 21, 2025, by 11:59 p.m.

Read the RFQ 
Apply Online

Read the complete artist call document (RFQ) to learn about the timeline, selection process, and more.

 

Artist in Residence: David Wilson

headshot of artist David Wilson

In late 2023, public artist David Wilson began engaging the community and creating an art plan for the Southern Corridor as part of an Artist-in-Residence. As part of his work, David conducted surveys, attended community events, and held ride along interviews along the corridor. He identified public art strategies for site-specific station art and transit islands, along with opportunities to connect transit hubs with community identity, the land and environment, and safety.  

Read the final Southern BRT Corridor Art Integration Plan

As an artist, David employs his background in design, sculpture, and public art to create site-specific work that explores the social, historical, and functional context of the site, as well as the architectural and urban henomenology of the space. Based in Durham, he obtained his BFA from Hampton University where he received tutelage under prolific muralist, John Biggers, and Afri-Cobra artist, James Philips. David is currently the public artist for the Atlantic Avenue improvement project and created Chavis Reclaimed, a large art glass installation, as part of the John Chavis Memorial Park updates.

About the Project

The Wake BRT: Southern Corridor will connect downtown Raleigh with the North South Station and Rupert Road in Garner.

Learn more about the Southern Corridor Bus Rapid Transit Project

Timeline

The project timeline below is an example of the anticipated schedule. The project milestones will follow the overall project schedule and may be adjusted.

DateActivity
March to May 2026Community Engagement and Concept Designs
Summer 2026Community Engagement and Design Refinement
Winter 2026Final Designs Due
2027Fabrication
TBDInstallation

Contact

 

Kelly McChesney
Public Art Director
kelly.mcchesney@raleighnc.gov

Kelly Marks
Public Art Project Manager
kelly.marks@raleighnc.gov

Department:
Parks, Recreation and Cultural Resources
Service Categories:
Raleigh Arts
Related Services:
Public ArtArtist Residencies & Creative FellowshipsArts Programs

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