Facility

Artrain USA - Moving Forward
Since its founding in 1971, Artrain USA has mounted exhibitions inside specially designed and renovated railcars and traveled to host communities via the nation’s railways. With the nation’s railroad companies as generous partners, Artrain USA has been extremely successful in reaching our target audience: more than 3.2 million people during 845 community visits across the nation.

Interest in Artrain USA’s programs, however, extends beyond the reach of America’s railroads. The rail system reaches approximately 30% of the country. Consequently, many communities that are interested in Artrain USA’s programs and request its services have had to be turned away because of there are no rail lines to reach them.

Exciting Expansion for Artrain USA
Artrain USA is expanding its capacity in order to serve this demand. Artrain USA’s board and staff have determined to embark upon this exciting and challenging project in order to better serve our constituents across the United States.

Over the next year, Artrain USA will transition to a facility consisting of state-of-the-art semi-tractor trailers for its exhibitions. Known in the industry as mobile display units, the trailers can expand to as large 53 x 22 feet or approximately 1,000 square feet while on location. They will serve as Artrain USA’s gallery space, artist studio and gift shop as well as administrative space for tour staff. Building upon its own history of replicating museum facility standards (including lighting, temperature and humidity controls, security, etc.) in a mobile rail museum and the expertise developed in the mobile exhibit industry, Artrain USA will assure that the trailers meet all the requirements of a traditional art museum. The environment controlled trailers will enable Artrain USA to continue to borrow artwork and objects from prestigious national museums such as the Smithsonian Institution and the Heard Museum as well as private collectors and artists.

The benefits of this new facility are many. Artrain USA’s reach will more than triple. In addition, Artrain USA will:
• Be able to visit any city in the US;
• Have complete control over scheduling;
• Be able to end periods of “downtime;”
• Visit more communities and welcome more visitors;
• Schedule longer and shorter visits; and
• Accommodate “impromptu” visits.

Artrain USA’s trailers are in the design and planning stages. With support from donors and friends, Artrain USA hopes to launch the new facility in late 2008 or early 2009.

Please check back here or sign up for our e-newsletter (click on the link on the left) for facility updates. You can also watch a virtual “fly through” of the new facility here. As always, Artrain USA is interested to hear what you think. Please email us at info@ArtrainUSA.org.