Asphalt Art Initiative

Public art has the power to reshape the way we experience our cities. We saw that time and again during my time as Mayor of New York City: art could remake streets and improve public safety, inspire people, draw in visitors, and enhance residents’ quality of life.

From vibrant designs on Broadway through Times Square to community-led art on neighborhood streets in our partner cities, we’ve seen the power that new color adds to old blacktop, and now Asphalt Art gives cities everywhere the tools to paint their own urban canvas.

Artists can inspire collaborative, effective community action resulting in safer, more vibrant streets – and regenerating a sense of local identity as we work through the impacts of the pandemic.

Asphalt art is a great way to test out street safety because it brings the community to it. You get a safer neighborhood for people to walk and you get artwork that people can enjoy and have pride in their neighborhood.

For a reasonably small amount of money, you can actually make a space much more pedestrian and cyclist friendly. And hopefully that will attract people out of cars, which is what needs to happen in order to tackle climate change.

Every transportation department should give the community it serves the pens for its plans and the paintbrushes for its places.