Renowned art pieces from renowned institutions such as MoMA, The Metropolitan Museum of Art, The Natural History Museum, and Lincoln Center will be featured in the new JFK terminal.
John F. Kennedy International Airport in New York City is set for a cultural transformation, with the upcoming Terminal 6 set to showcase art and installations from four of the city's premier institutions: the American Museum of Natural History, the Metropolitan Museum of Art (The Met), the Museum of Modern Art (MoMA), and Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts. This collaboration will create a "museum row" in the arrivals area, offering travelers a rich and immersive artistic experience.
Key cultural highlights include:
- The Met contributing displays documenting 5,000 years of art, including photographs of the Unicorn Tapestry from The Cloisters and a Dior bar suit from the Costume Institute.
- Lincoln Center providing a 140-foot mural described as a “visual symphony” depicting artists across music, theater, dance, and opera, offering travelers a vivid impression of NYC’s performing arts scene.
- MoMA and the American Museum of Natural History also contributing permanent installations enhancing the aesthetic and educational environment of the terminal.
- Six rotating Queens-based artists, curated by the Jamaica Center for Arts and Learning, will also contribute artwork, enriching the local artistic representation.
The entire cultural program is curated with the involvement of the Public Art Fund, ensuring high-quality and impactful art.
This cultural makeover is part of Terminal 6’s broader $4.2 billion redevelopment, which also includes modernized infrastructure, new gates, enhanced passenger amenities, and technology upgrades. The art installations aim to make the terminal a world-class gateway that celebrates New York City's global cultural identity, welcoming international visitors with an inspiring artistic experience.
The arrivals area of Terminal 6 will be called "museum row." Millennium Partners is in charge of building and operating Terminal 6. Steve Thody, CEO of JFK Millennium Partners, expressed excitement about the collaboration.
Yoko Ono will collaborate with the Museum of Modern Art on their installation, inspired by her "PEACE is POWER" work. The artwork is set to be revealed in 2026, along with a partial opening of the new terminal. The Museum of Natural History will display images of the Tyrannosaurus rex skeleton and the Rapa Nui figure from Easter Island.
The terminal is expected to open in two parts: the first six gates in 2026 and the final four gates by 2028. Terminal 6 will be home to both domestic and international airlines such as JetBlue and Lufthansa. The John F. Kennedy International Airport's newest terminal, Terminal 6, will undergo a cultural makeover, offering travelers a unique and enriching experience as they arrive in the city that never sleeps.
[1] New York Times, "JFK Airport's Terminal 6 to Feature Art from Four of New York City's Premier Institutions," 2022. [2] The Art Newspaper, "Terminal 6 at JFK Airport to Showcase Rotating Artworks from Queens Artists," 2022. [3] Architectural Digest, "A Cultural Renaissance at JFK Airport: New Terminal 6 to Feature Artworks from New York City's Top Institutions," 2022.
