MTA Arts & Design
About
MTA Arts & Design encourages the use of public transportation by providing visual and performing arts in the metropolitan New York area.
Arts & Design creates meaningful connections between stations, neighborhoods, and our diverse ridership through a broad spectrum of artistic activity, including permanent art, posters, photography, digital art, live musical performances, and the Poetry in Motion program. Arts & Design also consults on architectural features within stations and subway cars, and other industrial design elements. Our permanent art program is one of the largest and most diverse collections of site-specific contemporary public art in the world, with more than 400 works by world famous, mid-career, and emerging artists.
As you travel through the MTA network, you will experience a first-rate art museum comprising works created in mosaic, terra cotta, metal, glass, and mixed-media. Use our free digital guide on the Bloomberg Connects app to find the artwork that enlivens your commute. You may hear music, read poetry, or enjoy illustrated posters in stations or rail cars. We invite you to discover and enjoy New York’s diverse and beautiful underground art museum.
Artwork credit: "Perasma I & II; Dappleganger" (2018) © Stephen Westfall. Located at 30 Av. Commissioned by MTA Arts & Design. Photo: James and Karla Murray.
Arts & Design programs
Artist opportunities
Permanent Art
Artists are selected through a competitive process to create original, site-specific permanent artwork for new and rehabilitated stations. Calls for Artists are listed here on our website, Submittable, social media (Twitter, Tumblr, Facebook, and Instagram), national/local arts organizations, and arts councils. Professional artists who are interested in being considered for specific commission opportunities may check the Calls for Artists periodically.
Download Call for Images Frequently Asked Questions, or email arts@mtahq.org.
Digital Art
Arts & Design invites new media artists to create digital artwork for MTA’s Fulton Center, and digital display network as opportunities arise. New Media artists who are interested in being considered may submit applications via Submittable during the annual Open Call.
Download Call for Submissions Frequently Asked Questions, or email arts@mtahq.org.
MTA Music Audition
Arts & Design holds Audition for the MTA Music (Music Under New York) program each year in May. To apply, visit Audition to learn more, and follow the application instructions via Submittable.
Download Call for Performers Frequently Asked Questions, or email music@mtahq.org.
Poster
Arts & Design produces and exhibits posters through our Poster program. Artwork must relate to New York City, its neighborhoods, or transit system, and be suitable for diverse audiences. Illustrators and graphic artists who want to be considered may send an email with the "Poster" program area noted in the subject line to Arts & Design.
Photography
Arts & Design produces and exhibits photography through our Photography program. Artwork must relate to New York City, its neighborhoods or transit system and be suitable for diverse audiences. Photographers who want to be considered may send an email with the Photography program area noted in the subject line to Arts & Design.