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MTA Arts & Design
About
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: "Abstract Futures" (2025) © Hilma’s Ghost, 42 St-Grand Central Station. Commissioned by MTA Arts & Design. Photo: Etienne Frossard.
Arts & Design programs
Artist opportunities
Permanent art
Artists are selected through a competitive process to create original, site-specificpermanent 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 emailarts@mtahq.org.
Digital art
Arts & Design invites new media artists to createdigital 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 viaSubmittable during the annual Open Call.
Download Call for Submissions Frequently Asked Questions, or emailarts@mtahq.org.
MTA Music auditions
Arts & Design holds auditions for theMTA Music (Music Under New York) program each year in May. To apply, visit Auditions to learn more, and follow the application instructions viaSubmittable.
Download Call for Performers Frequently Asked Questions, or emailmusic@mtahq.org.
Poster
Arts & Design produces and exhibits posters through ourPoster 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 toArts & Design.
Photography
Arts & Design produces and exhibits photography through ourPhotography 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 toArts & Design.