The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey and JFK Millennium Partners (JMP) announced a partnership with Public Art Fund, the leading independent nonprofit organization dedicated to art in public spaces, for the development of public art commissions at the highly anticipated John F. Kennedy International Airport Terminal 6 project.
As JMP builds a $4.2 billion privately financed world-class international travel hub at Terminal 6, Public Art Fund will lead the public art process, from curatorial strategy to implementation, for a range of inspiring new art installations. The collaboration aims to capture the spirit of New York City, celebrate the creativity of a diverse group of local and international artists, and offer visitors a travel experience that seamlessly integrates art into the terminal’s design.
Public Art Fund brings a wealth of experience curating and implementing dynamic public art projects that engage and captivate diverse audiences, having led recent major commissions for LaGuardia Airport’s Terminal B and Newark Liberty International Airport’s Terminal A, both of which were recently named among the top three new airport terminals in the world by international rating agency Skytrax. These celebrated art installations offer local audiences a deep connection to the history and fabric of their communities and welcome tourists and visitors to the New York and New Jersey metro area.
“World-class airports, like the airports we are building across our region, are both functionally advanced and beautiful to behold thanks to inspiring public art that creates a sense of place that is unique to our region,” said Kevin O’Toole, Chairman of the Port Authority. “With the help of the Public Art Fund, travelers at the new Terminal 6 will experience the culture and diversity of our vibrant communities as they pass through our front door to the world.”
“Inspiring and appealing public art is a key tenet of the Port Authority’s vision to provide travelers with a world-class experience at the region’s airports. As we have seen at LaGuardia Airport and Newark-Liberty Airport, iconic works of art, along with state-of-the-art functionality, appealing, light-filled civic architecture and locally inspired dining and retail combine to create airports that rival the best in the world,” said Rick Cotton, Executive Director of the Port Authority. “We’re delighted that JFK Millennium Partners has embraced our vision and partnered with Public Art Fund to commission works of art that will create a uniquely New York sense of place.”
“The addition of inspiring custom art to the new JFK Terminal 6 will elevate the guest experience and reflect New York City’s great tradition as one of the world’s leading destinations for art,” said George Casey, Chair of the Board of JFK Millennium Partners and Chair and CEO of Vantage Airport Group. “Incorporating world-class art into our terminals is a hallmark of Vantage and JMP’s mission to create a local sense of place at airports.”
“Public Art Fund’s expertise aligning curatorial selections with our own architectural vision makes the organization an ideal partner as we work to create a new kind of boutique travel experience at Terminal 6,” said Helena Williams, CEO, JFK Millennium Partners. “The partnership brings together our collective strengths and will allow us to celebrate and showcase a diverse New York community, the brilliant expressions of a broad range of artists, and the spirit of JFK Airport as a thriving global gateway.”
“Public art has the power to transform public spaces, connect communities, and engage audiences in profound ways,” said Nicholas Baume, Artistic & Executive Director of Public Art Fund. “We’re thrilled that JFK Millennium Partners recognizes the importance of transforming an infrastructure hub into a truly civic space with the awe-inspiring creativity that fuels cultural life in New York and beyond. We aspire to create a lasting impact on all who visit Terminal 6.”
Public Art Fund will work collaboratively with key stakeholders to develop and execute public art commissions in a range of spaces scheduled to open along with the Terminal. Selected artists will have their creative journey documented by Public Art Fund via video, from initial vision and inspiration to execution and Terminal 6 installation.
JFK Millennium Partners is developing Terminal 6 in two phases, with the first gates opening in 2026 and construction completion in 2028. This new, 1.2 million square foot international Terminal on the north side of John F Kennedy International Airport will feel more like a boutique luxury hotel, featuring bright and airy check-in and arrivals areas, NYC-inspired shopping, dining, and amenities, premium lounges, and generous seating areas that will transform the passenger experience.
Development, management, and operation of Terminal 6 is subject to the Port Authority’s subcontracting participation goals of 20 percent by minority-owned business enterprises, 10 percent by women-owned business enterprises, and 3 percent by service-disabled veteran-owned business in all procurement, subcontract, and ancillary service opportunities with this contract.
Transforming JFK Into a World-Class Global Gateway
In January 2017, the JFK Vision Plan was announced to transform John F. Kennedy International Airport into the world-class airport that New Yorkers deserve. The Vision Plan provides a strategic framework for the Port Authority and its partners to completely redevelop, modify and expand existing facilities and infrastructure. The new Terminal 6 builds on the momentum of the other three major components of the airport’s transformation already underway. The $9.5 billion development of a state-of-the-art New Terminal One that will anchor the airport’s south side broke ground in September 2022. The $1.5 billion expansion of Terminal 4, led by Delta Air Lines and JFK International Air Terminal, is now under construction. Additionally, the $400 million modernization and expansion of Terminal 8, led by American Airlines, which operates the terminal, and British Airways, which relocated to Terminal 8 late last year, was substantially completed in November 2022.
All of the privately financed terminal projects combined with the Port Authority’s roadway, parking and infrastructure projects represent a $19 billion transformation of JFK International Airport and an extraordinary series of public-private partnerships. The Port Authority’s capital investment of $3.9 billion is leveraging private investment at a rate of nearly four to one when taking into account the full private investment of more than $15 billion that has been committed to the four projects comprising the full JFK redevelopment program.
