Seven artists—Kelly Akashi, Firelei Báez, Julie Curtiss, Woody De Othello, Tomás Saraceno, Ilana Savdie, and Yinka Shonibare—have been commissioned to create public artworks for the new $9.5 billion Terminal One at New York's John F. Kennedy International Airport. The terminal will open in phases starting in 2026, with completion expected by 2030. The works, presented under the banner "We Travel Under One Sky," include sculptures, mosaics, murals, and a suspended installation, many of which explore themes of migration and New York's history. The program is organized by Culture Corps as part of a larger cultural initiative for the airport.
This commission matters because it represents a major investment in public art within a large-scale infrastructure project, reflecting a growing trend of integrating art into airport design to create a sense of place and enhance the traveler experience. The project is part of a $19 billion transformation of JFK Airport, signaling that public art is becoming a central component of civic and transportation planning. By featuring internationally recognized contemporary artists, the terminal aims to position itself as a cultural destination, not just a transit hub.