By MOHAMED FARGHALY | mfarghaly@queensledger.com
The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, in collaboration with JFK Millennium Partners (JMP), has announced the selection of 18 artists to create permanent art installations for the new Terminal 6 at John F. Kennedy International Airport. Scheduled to open in 2026, the $4.2 billion terminal will feature a variety of artworks, including sculptures, suspended installations, wall works, and glass mosaic floor medallions. These installations, curated by the Public Art Fund, aim to encapsulate the spirit of New York and enhance the passenger experience.
The Port Authority and JFK Millennium Partners have chosen 18 artists for JFK Terminal 6’s art installations. Photo courtesy of the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey
Part of a $4.2 billion redevelopment aiming to transform JFK into a global gateway with a unique New York flair by 2026. Photo c
This initiative supports the Port Authority’s broader vision of transforming JFK into a world-class gateway, with the Terminal 6 project being a key component of the airport’s $19 billion overhaul. The new terminal will seamlessly integrate with the airport’s modernized infrastructure, which includes two new terminals, expanded existing terminals, a new ground transportation center, and an upgraded roadway network.
“Public art that is inspiring and evocative of our region is an essential part of the Port Authority’s strategy to create world-class airports that are becoming destinations in their own right,” Port Authority Executive Director Rick Cotton said. “Just as we have done at LaGuardia and at Newark-Liberty’s Terminal A, the public art at JFK’s new Terminal 6 will dazzle travelers and help create a sense of place unique to New York.”
The featured artists, hailing from New York City and beyond, were chosen for their ability to reflect the diverse and dynamic nature of the region. The selected works will contribute to creating a distinctive New York atmosphere within the terminal, reinforcing JFK’s role as an international cultural gateway.
“These remarkable artists will bring the unique spirit of our region to the new JFK Terminal 6, welcoming international visitors and locals alike,” Port Authority Chairman Kevin O’Toole said. “We applaud the creative vision of these talented artists and look forward to seeing their creative works transform the terminal.”
The art installations are part of a comprehensive effort to elevate the overall passenger experience at JFK, mirroring successful initiatives at LaGuardia and Newark Liberty International Airports. Terminal 6 will be developed in two phases, with the first section set to open in 2026 and construction slated for completion in 2028.
Nicholas Baume, Artistic and Executive Director of the Public Art Fund, discussed the organization’s involvement in various public art projects throughout New York City, emphasizing their mission to make art accessible to everyone since its founding in 1977. The Fund has collaborated on significant infrastructure projects, including Boston’s and LaGuardia’s Terminal B and Newark’s Terminal A, which led to their partnership with the developers of JFK’s Terminal 6.
The Public Art Fund curates exhibitions at several notable locations in New York, such as City Hall Park, Doris C. Freedman Plaza, and Brooklyn Bridge Park. They also feature art on bus shelters in New York City, Boston, and Chicago. These exhibitions range from site-specific installations to unique projects, like Ai Weiwei’s “Good Fences Make Good Neighbors” and Tauba Auerbach’s painted fireboat “Flow Separation.”
For the JFK Terminal 6 project, artists were selected to reflect the diversity and vibrancy of New York City and the United States, considering JFK’s role as a global gateway in one of the most diverse regions. The selection process involved multiple phases, where artists developed proposals, and some have already begun the fabrication process. The 18 chosen artists will create a variety of works, including floor and wall pieces, sculptures, and installations integrated into the architecture, all scheduled for completion by 2026.
“Our mission is to bring the experience of art and the city together to make that accessible to everybody throughout the city and beyond, free of charge,” Baume said. “They express the spirit of New York City, a place of creativity and invention and originality, a magnet for creative people from all over the world.”
Baume hopes the artworks will convey the spirit of New York City, showcasing its creativity, diversity, and originality. He envisions the collection as a narrative that welcomes visitors to experience the vitality of contemporary New York, with many of the artists being local or having made New York their home, thus reflecting the city’s dynamic cultural landscape.
“I’m excited that a lot of the artists are New York-based artists, including Queens,”Baume said. “It captures a lot of the experience of many of us who are in or around New York.”
Hersh Parekh, Head of Government and Community Relations for the Port Authority, oversees operations involving government and community relations. His role focuses on collaborating with partners at various governmental levels and community organizations, ensuring the benefits of large capital projects like the JFK redevelopment reach the local community. Parekh emphasized the importance of maintaining open communication and fostering partnerships with local entities, including minority and women-owned businesses.
The Port Authority is overseeing the $19 billion redevelopment of JFK through public-private partnerships, including the $4 billion Terminal 6 project. Parekh described the collaborative effort with JFK Millennium Partners and the Public Art Fund to curate the selection of 18 artists for Terminal 6. This partnership builds on a successful precedent set at LaGuardia’s Terminal B. The selection process involved reviewing hundreds of artists to ensure a vibrant, civic presence and a unique New York sense of place in the new terminal.
“The Port Authority and JFK Millennium partners worked with the Public Art Fund to curate the artists that were selected,” Parekh said. “We reviewed hundreds of artists and narrowed it down to this group of 18.”
Addressing challenges, Parekh highlighted the difficulty of maintaining airport operations while undergoing significant construction. Ensuring the project remains on schedule and minimizes disruptions for travelers is a primary concern.
“These pieces of art will show you that you’ve arrived in New York,” Parekh said. “Whether it’s a direct reference to New York landmarks or a subtle nod, it’ll be clear that JFK is in New York. It’s creating that sense of civic presence. This is not just a transportation facility; it’s a place where people can experience some of the finest artwork you might see anywhere in the world.”
Parekh expressed hopes that the artworks in Terminal 6 will inspire and uplift travelers, conveying a strong sense of New York’s cultural identity. The art will not only mark JFK as an entry point to the United States but also clearly establish it as a gateway to New York City. This integration of art aims to create a memorable and enriching experience for passengers, reinforcing the city’s pride and character from the moment they arrive.
“We’re very excited for when these art installations are fully built,” Parekh said. “It’ll be a fantastic experience from curb to gate, and this artwork will be a great contributing factor to that experience.”
