28/10/2025
Artwork in JFK’s New Terminal One to celebrate New York ❤️
Here are the latest updates on the art and cultural programme for the new Terminal One at JFK Airport in New York:
* The terminal, developed by Port Authority of New York and New Jersey (PANYNJ) in partnership with New Terminal One (NTO), is part of a roughly US $9.5 billion (or part of the larger ~US $19 billion) redevelopment of JFK.
* It will be a ~2.6 million sq ft all-international terminal, replacing the existing Terminals 1, 2 & 3.
* The art programme is being led by curator Culture Corps, working with experience design firm Arup and branding/design firm Pentagram.
* Seven internationally-recognised artists have been commissioned to create site-specific works throughout the terminal that emphasise New York’s history, culture and diversity (especially the borough of Queens).
Here are some of the key commissions announced:
* Kelly Akashi — Migration of Flora: an 18-foot sculpture of native flowers rising from a bronze hand; symbolises New York’s international influence and strength.
* Tomás Saraceno — Cloud Cities New York: suspended iridescent cloud-like forms that shift with light and movement, evoking connection across divisions.
* Yinka Shonibare — Kites for Queens: nine hand-painted Dutch wax batik kites celebrating Queens’ multicultural identity and themes of migration/movement.
* Firelei Báez — Blue Calaibi–Yao Muzidi (or on alternate means of navigation): a monumental mural layering sea flora and swimmers over historical maps of New York at pivotal moments.
* Julie Curtiss — New York Hands: a playful mosaic of oversized hands clutching iconic foods and cultural symbols, capturing New York’s theatricality and multicultural spirit.
* Ilana Savdie — Egregoros: large-scale mosaic mural evoking past/present/future of New York people and migration’s role through waves of bold colour.
* Woody De Othello — The City That Never Sleeps (sculpture series): watches, pay-phones, street-lamps placed atop baggage carousels to welcome passengers to New York.
* The terminal’s opening is planned in phases beginning in 2026, with the headhouse and first 14 gates. Full completion to follow.
* There will be immersive digital experiences: e.g., a departures hall installation named “Leaving New York”, with dynamic visuals of people departing New York via land, sea, air across time; a soundscape of New York sounds; and a large-scale wrap display creating an optical illusion.
* The branding/design is integral: e.g., the design firm Pentagram helped create a brand identity, floor inlays, signage, and one of the world’s largest split-flap displays in the departures hall.
* This is one of the more ambitious airport art programmes in recent years, placing art, design, culture and branding together rather than as separate add-ons.
* It positions Terminal One as not just infrastructure, but a destination that reflects the identity of New York — its diversity, creativity, global connections, and the specific character of Queens.
* For travellers, this means the terminal experience will be more than transit; it will be immersive and culturally grounded.
* As the terminal opens in phases starting 2026, look for installation unveilings, previews of artwork in progress, and how the art integrates into the passenger flow.
* The digital/immersive elements (films, soundscapes, large displays) will be key to how the atmosphere is created.
* The collaboration with local artists, minority-/women-owned business enterprises (M/WBEs) and service-disabled veteran-owned businesses (SDVOBs) was highlighted, so expect announcements about these partnerships and local cultural engagements. Arup+1
* Monitor how the homeowners, local community (Queens) and the borough identity are represented in the work — it’s cited as a focus of this project.
