Major artistic works find their way to JFK airport's revamped terminal, courtesy of New York's cultural heavyweights.
JFK's Terminal 6 Transforms into a Cultural Haven
In an exciting development, four iconic New York institutions – The Museum of Modern Art (MoMA), The Metropolitan Museum of Art, The American Museum of Natural History, and Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts – are collaborating to showcase major installations inside JFK's Terminal 6. The collaboration aims to make Terminal 6 a cultural experience, not just a place to pass through.
The new terminal, spanning 1.2 million square feet, will feature 10 gates and is expected to create approximately 4,000 jobs. The first six gates are set to open later this year.
MoMA has partnered with artist Yoko Ono on a piece inspired by her 2019 work PEACE is POWER. The Met's installation nods to its diverse collection, showcasing 5,000 years of global art. Lincoln Center is contributing a 140-foot mural celebrating its work across music, dance, theatre, and opera. The American Museum of Natural History will create a display drawing from its scientific collections.
In addition to these, there will be a rotating display of local work selected by Jamaica Center for Arts and Learning. The terminal will also feature 19 permanent, site-specific installations curated by Public Art Fund. Arriving visitors will experience a unique New York experience before leaving the terminal, according to Rick Cotton, Port Authority executive director.
Airlines such as JetBlue, Lufthansa, Swiss, ANA, Avianca, and Cathay Pacific will operate from the terminal.
This cultural transformation of JFK's Terminal 6 comes amidst a period of increased scrutiny and intervention in the nation's museums. In 2020, the Trump administration ordered a comprehensive review of Smithsonian Institution museums to ensure their content aligned with President Donald Trump's interpretation of American history.
Trump signed an executive order in March titled "Restoring Truth and Sanity to American History," indicating his intention to take a larger role in dictating the institutions' programming schedules. This directive targeted several Smithsonian museums, including the National Museum of American History, the National Museum of African American History and Culture, and the National Museum of the American Indian, among others.
The White House aimed to change exhibitions, collections, programs, and texts that it said focused excessively on negative aspects of U.S. history, such as slavery, and sought to celebrate the nation's achievements instead. This review was part of Trump's broader cultural agenda to counter what he described as "woke" perspectives dominating these institutions' narratives.
In February, Trump removed the Kennedy Center's Board of Trustees and replaced them with his supporters, raising concerns about the institution's artistic freedom and programming decisions.
Despite these challenges, the collaboration at JFK's Terminal 6 promises to bring a diverse and enriching cultural experience to travellers, showcasing the best of New York's arts and culture scene.
The cultural experience in JFK's Terminal 6 will extend beyond the realm of arts and performances, as it will also incorporate a home-and-garden display, curated by the American Museum of Natural History, showcasing scientific collections. With this addition, travellers can expect a complete lifestyle immersion, not just a passing journey.
Besides the rotating and permanent installations, the terminal will also feature a rotating display of local work from the Jamaica Center for Arts and Learning, offering a glimpse into the local community's artistic lifestyle.
