About
MTA Arts & Design commissions public art that is seen by hundreds of thousands of city dwellers, commuters, and national and international visitors who use New York City Transit, Metro-North Railroad, Long Island Rail Road, and MTA Bridges & Tunnels.
As the MTA rehabilitates subway and commuter rail stations through its Capital Program, it uses up to 1% of the funds to commission permanent works of art. Arts & Design's projects create links to neighborhoods with art that echoes the architectural history and design context of the individual stations. Both well-established, mid-career, and emerging artists add to a growing collection of works created in the materials of the system, such as mosaic, ceramic tile, bronze, steel, and glass. The art can be seen in the miles of walls within the system, as well as in the gates, windscreens, plazas, and station architecture.
Arts & Design works closely with the architects and engineers at New York City Transit, Long Island Rail Road, and Metro-North Railroad to determine the parameters and sites for the artwork that is incorporated into each station or facility. Open calls for artists are posted on our homepage, and artists are encouraged to submit qualifications through an online submission platform. The pool of artists to be considered by the selection panels are developed through the open calls and curatorial research. Artists are chosen through a competitive panel process, with selection panels comprising arts professionals and community representatives.
You can explore permanent artwork by agency below or download our free digital guide on the Bloomberg Connects app to learn more about artworks, see exclusive curated content, and take self-guided tours.
Banner image: "Sky Reflector-Net" (2014), © James Carpenter Design Associates, Grimshaw Architects, ARUP, NYCT Fulton Center. Photo: Patrick Cashin.
