Art Rideshare LA: Making Art Accessible to Every Artist

shoeboxartsla
Aug 13
4 min read

Over the past few months, I've had so many conversations with artists about the same frustrating problem: "I can't drive at night anymore, so I'm missing everything."

The stories crushed me. And made me furious.

Artist after artist shared experiences about missing openings, skipping museum exhibitions, feeling cut off from the cultural life they desperately wanted to be part of. Some can't see well enough to drive at night. Others don't have cars (which in LA is basically like not having legs). Many are managing disabilities that make evening transportation impossible. And some are just exhausted after long days and know they shouldn't get behind the wheel.

I kept thinking: This is insane. We live in one of the most vibrant art cities in the world, and people can't get to the art.

So I did something about it.

Enter Art Rideshare LA

I started a Signal group where LA artists coordinate rides to galleries, museums, art events, cultural stuff – anything art-related across the city.

It's stupidly simple: Download Signal (free, secure messaging) Join our group [link]Post what you need or what you can offer Connect with fellow artists Never miss another opening

"🚗 Need ride Thu 7pm: Mid-City → Downtown (opening at Commonwealth & Council). Can contribute $10 gas"

"👋 Driving to LACMA Sat 2pm from Venice area, 2 seats available"

That's it.

How to Join (Step by Step)

Never used Signal? No problem. It takes about 3 minutes:

Step 1: Download the Signal app

On your phone: Search "Signal" in App Store (iPhone) or Google Play (Android)
On your computer: Go to signal.org and click "Download"

Step 2: Create your account

Open Signal and enter your phone number
You'll get a verification code via text
Enter the code and you're in

Step 3: Join Art Rideshare LA

Click this link: [Signal group link]
Or copy/paste it into Signal
You'll automatically join our group

Step 4: Start coordinating rides

Read the pinned message with group guidelines
Post your ride needs or offers
Connect with fellow artists

That's literally it. If you can text, you can use Signal.

Why Signal?

I researched different platforms. Signal won because:

Real-time notifications for last-minute "anyone heading to Bergamot?" requests
Actually private (no corporate overlords harvesting your data)
Works on everything – phone, computer, doesn't matter your tech comfort level
No algorithm deciding who sees your "need ride tonight" message
You can DM participants directly on Signal

This Is About More Than Cars

Look, this isn't just transportation logistics. It's about community care. It's about making LA's incredible cultural landscape available to everyone, not just people with reliable night vision and functioning vehicles.

It's about meeting other artists through shared experiences instead of double-tapping their Instagram posts from your couch.

It's about mutual support. Today you need a ride to the Broad. Next month you're the one with space in your car heading to a Pasadena show.

We're Being Safe About This

Common sense stuff:

Members coordinate rides at their own risk.
This group facilitates introductions/community connections only.
We are not operating a transportation business.
Trust your gut

Why Galleries and Institutions Should Care

Here's what I know after ten years in the LA art world: empty openings don't help anyone.

When artists can't attend events, galleries lose potential collectors. Museums miss passionate advocates. Art schools lose engaged alumni connections. Everyone loses the energy and conversation that makes art events actually meaningful.

How Art Organizations Can Support Art Rideshare LA:

Mention it in your event emails: "Need a ride? Check out Art Rideshare LA [link]"
Include it in your social media: Share our posts about upcoming events in your stories
Tag @shoeboxarts.la and use hashtag #artridesharela
Host coordination meetups: Let people organize rides from your space before big art district events
The goal isn't complicated: more artists at art events creates better art events. Period.

Why This Matters

When I started researching transportation solutions for artists, I found programs like Access LA (paratransit for people with disabilities), volunteer driver networks for seniors, sophisticated coordination systems in other cities. Nothing for our creative community.

We needed something artist-specific. Something immediate. Something built on the kind of trust and mutual support that already exists in our community but needed a place to actually happen.

Join Us

Ready to help make LA's cultural scene accessible to everyone?

Join here: https://signal.group/#CjQKIPt7qLmGdG0QFGghLpXS-OGaW8cGbg9rMV5UMR_3Q4JLEhBhYLlBpTnAvsLSCDFdy05r

Share this: Forward to any artist who might need it

Spread the word: Use #ArtRideshareLA when you post about it

Organizations: Email me at shoeboxartsla@gmail.com to discuss partnership opportunities

What Happens Next

This is just the beginning. I can see partnerships with cultural institutions, connections with existing accessibility programs, maybe inspiring other cities to start their own versions.

But right now? Right now let's make sure no artist in LA misses a cultural event because they couldn't get there.

Art is about showing up for each other. Sometimes that literally means offering someone a ride.

JOIN: https://signal.group/#CjQKIPt7qLmGdG0QFGghLpXS-OGaW8cGbg9rMV5UMR_3Q4JLEhBhYLlBpTnAvsLSCDFdy05r

Questions about Art Rideshare LA? Email me at shoeboxartsla@gmail.com. Galleries, museums, and institutions interested in supporting accessibility initiatives? Let's talk.