Arlington Community Canvas Pilot Initiative

Status

Planned

Arlington County is piloting a process to allow community organizations to apply for, implement, and maintain temporary asphalt murals in areas of the public rights-of-way.

Location

5-6 pilot project locations will be selected for 2024 implementation.

About Project

Arlington County is piloting a process to allow community organizations to apply for, implement, and maintain temporary asphalt murals in areas of the public rights-of-way. These initial projects, selected in coordination with the Ballston, National Landing, and Rosslyn Business Improvement Districts (BIDs) and established civic associations through the Arlington Neighborhoods Program, will help test and refine the Community Canvas process.

The Pilot Community Canvas process was developed in collaboration with a variety of County stakeholders, including Arlington Public Art, the Arlington Neighborhoods Program, Arlington Economic Development, Transportation Planning, Transportation Engineering and Operations, and Water, Sewer, and Streets.

  • Note: As pilots involve new tools or settings, we closely observe how the projects are working. This allows us to adjust or remove if there are safety or operational concerns.

Project Goals

  • Establish a sustainable application-based process that facilitates artwork in County-owned right of way.
  • Champion streetscapes inspired and implemented by community-driven action.
  • Support and increase attention to the County’s Quick-Build Safety Improvement Projects as a part of the Vision Zero transportation safety program.

Project Background

Check out the Arlington Community Canvas: Asphalt Art Guide

Frequently Asked Questions

What types of locations will be considered?

Appropriate asphalt art locations will be:

  • Within County public right-of way.
  • Asphalt areas of a street that are considered inactive and outside of sidewalks, crosswalks, bicycle lanes, bus stop boarding areas, on-street vehicle parking, loading, and travel lanes.
    • Examples include temporary street corner curb extensions, bicycle/scooter corrals, and other excess asphalt areas in the street deemed appropriate by DES.
  • On pavement that is in good overall condition.
  • Away from manholes covers and water valves.

What are the guidelines for artwork?

  • Pilot applicants are encouraged to design artwork that celebrates local area contexts such as neighborhood histories, nearby parks, etc. or universal themes of nature, history, color, and pattern are welcome.
  • Artwork should not include words, numbers, symbols, advertising, or any form of commercial/political speech. Similarly, artworks should not imitate or reference signage and marking of traffic control devices.

Community Canvas: Asphalt Art Guide

What types of materials may be used?

  • Paint utilized must create a slip resistant surface that does not become slippery when wet and be low toxicity and lead-free latex paint.

More frequently asked questions

Learn more: Arlington Community Canvas: Asphalt Art Guide

About the Process

2024 – Pilot Parameters and Introduction

Communicate

  • Community Canvas Pilot initiative introduced

2025 – Pilot Project Implementation

Communicate

  • 5-6 projects selected for implementation
  • Selected projects implemented by community groups
  • Information shared with relevant stakeholders
  • Staff conduct observations and collect information to inform future decision-making

During the pilot, we welcome input from the community and may host a formal call to gather feedback.

2025/2026 – Process Evaluation

Communicate

  • The Community Canvas Pilot is refined using feedback from staff, community organizations and community members

Staff will review data collected over the course of the pilot and develop recommendations for next steps.

Funding

Community asphalt projects will be funded by the applicant organization or group. Grant funding may be available for applicants partnering with Arlington Civic Associations which participate in the Arlington Neighborhoods Program.