I just want to throw this out there and see if anyone with connections to COTA (or COTA themselves) are interested in the idea and want to run with it. As a member of UAArts.org I am challenged to find ways to raise funds for the arts; I also happen to be someone with a great love of public transit and realize increased ridership is the only way to bring better transit options to Central Ohio.

With that in mind I thought a great event would be something like this. All of the arts organizations (I’ve been told there are about 600) in Central Ohio sponsor artists to participate. An equivilant number of scale model COTA busses are distributed to the artists (think something along the size of 2 feet long – easily displayed and transported).

The artists paint these models in anyway they see fit with the understanding that the result has to be family friendly and flat – ie no art car type attachments that pose a service issue for actual busses. Once the artists have created their pieces then the art is transfered to the actual COTA busses. The effect being a higher attention to the busses and some beautiful art moving throughout the city day in and day out. Contests could take place to get people to try and get a picture of all of the different busses, etc. The visibility for COTA would be immense and this project should bring in tourists to see the busses.

The model busses then get auctioned off with the money going back to the arts organizations that sponsored the artist. This way these organizations can continue their mission of bringing public art to Central Ohio.