LA Art Rideshare: Making Art Accessible to Every Artist
- shoeboxartsla
- Aug 13
- 3 min read
Updated: Oct 27
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 LA Art Rideshare
I started a Facebook group where LA artists coordinate rides to galleries, museums, art events, cultural stuff – anything art-related across the city.
It's stupidly simple: Join the Facebook Group 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: Join the Facebook Group
Step 2: Start coordinating rides
Read the pinned message with group guidelines
Post your ride needs or offers
Connect with fellow artists
That's literally it.
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 LA Art Rideshare:
Mention it in your event emails: "Need a ride? Check out the LA Art Rideshare Facebook Group https://www.facebook.com/groups/4341160186143926/"
Include it in your social media: Share our posts about upcoming events in your stories
Tag @shoeboxarts.la and use hashtag #LAartrideshare
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?
Share this: Forward to any artist who might need it
Spread the word: Use #LAArtRideshare 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.
Questions aboutLA Art Rideshare? Email me at shoeboxartsla@gmail.com. Galleries, museums, and institutions interested in supporting accessibility initiatives? Let's talk.
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