Art Everywhere U.S.: A Nationwide Outdoor Gallery Experience
Discover American Art in Unexpected Places
Starting August 2014, commuters across the United States encountered something extraordinary on their daily routes—58 iconic American artworks displayed on 50,000 digital billboards and static displays. This ambitious public art initiative, called Art Everywhere U.S., transformed advertising spaces into an open-air museum for one month.
The Vision Behind the Project
Inspired by the successful U.K. version launched in 2013, Art Everywhere U.S. was made possible through a collaboration between:
- The Outdoor Advertising Association of America
- Five prestigious American museums:
- Art Institute of Chicago
- Dallas Museum of Art
- Los Angeles County Museum of Art
- National Gallery of Art
- Whitney Museum of American Art
The project aimed to spark public discourse about art and make masterpieces accessible beyond traditional museum walls.
Interactive Art Through Augmented Reality
Tech enthusiasts could engage deeper with the exhibition through:
- Blippar augmented reality app
- 39 “blippable” artworks out of the 58 displayed
- Scan functionality that revealed additional artwork information
This marked an innovative crossover between art appreciation and mobile technology, expanding Blippar’s typical advertising-focused applications.
Social Media Engagement
The initiative encouraged public participation through:
- A photo contest using #ArtEverywhereUS
- Selfies with displayed artworks
- 10 winners receiving prints of featured pieces
An example of how classic artworks appeared in everyday urban environments during the Art Everywhere U.S. initiative.
Lasting Impact of the Project
While temporary, Art Everywhere U.S. demonstrated:
- The power of public-private partnerships in arts accessibility
- Innovative ways to engage new audiences with art
- How technology can enhance traditional art experiences
The project set a precedent for future large-scale public art initiatives, blending cultural appreciation with modern technology and social engagement.
