John F. Kennedy (JFK) International Airport, a bustling hub for global travel, is about to become an artistic destination. On Tuesday, the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey announced the selection of 18 artists from seven countries to create permanent installations for the soon-to-open Terminal 6.
The $4.2 billion terminal, slated for completion in 2026, will showcase works by established and emerging artists, many with deep ties to New York. The roster includes local talents like Sky Hopinka, Charles Gaines, and the renowned Barbara Kruger.
This initiative significantly expands JFK’s artistic footprint, solidifying its position as the New York airport with the most extensive permanent art collection. This news follows the recent unveiling of new public artworks at LaGuardia Airport in Queens and Newark Liberty International Airport, both spearheaded by the Port Authority.
In 2022, LaGuardia’s Delta Terminal C welcomed six large-scale installations by Rashid Johnson, Aliza Nisenbaum, Ronny Quevedo, and others. These artworks celebrated New York’s vibrant diversity and rich history, echoing a similar theme in Terminal B’s five installations. Newark Airport joined the artistic movement with two monumental works by Layqa Nuna Yawar and Karyn Olivier.
JFK Terminal 6 boasts a dedicated art budget of $22 million, entirely funded by JFK Millennium Partners – a consortium of private developers led by the Vantage Group, responsible for LaGuardia’s artistic transformation. Notably, the budget for Terminal 6’s art program doubles the investment made at LaGuardia.
The Port Authority has once again partnered with the Public Art Fund, the New York-based non-profit that successfully commissioned artworks at LaGuardia and Newark. (The Queens Museum curated the art selection for LaGuardia’s Terminal C.)
Passengers at Terminal 6 can expect a diverse artistic experience. The program features suspended sculptures by Laure Prouvost and Haegue Yang, captivating wall works by Nevin Aladag and Sky Hopinka, and a particularly intriguing series of 10 monumental glass mosaic floor medallions. As per the Port Authority, these medallions aim to evoke a distinct “New York sense of place.” Artists like Shara Hughes, Eddie Martinez, Kambui Olujimi, Candida Alvarez, and Charline von Heyl will contribute to this floor art project.
“Public art that inspires and reflects the spirit of our region is a core element of the Port Authority’s strategy to develop world-class airports that become destinations in their own right,” stated Rick Cotton, the Port Authority’s executive director. “Following the success of LaGuardia and Newark’s Terminal A, the public art program at JFK Terminal 6 will captivate travellers and establish a unique sense of place that embodies the essence of New York.”
