A New Cultural Hub at John F. Kennedy International Airport
When John F. Kennedy International Airport unveils its new $4.2 billion Terminal 6, travelers will find themselves stepping into more than just a modern transportation hub. The terminal is set to become a mini New York arts district, offering a unique cultural experience that reflects the city’s vibrant artistic heritage.
Four of New York’s most prestigious cultural institutions—The Museum of Modern Art, the Metropolitan Museum of Art, the American Museum of Natural History, and Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts—are collaborating to bring major artworks into the terminal. These installations, sourced from each institution’s permanent collection, will be displayed in the international arrivals corridor. This initiative aims to transform Terminal 6 into not just a place to pass through, but an immersive cultural experience for arriving visitors.
“Thanks to the collaboration with four of New York’s premier cultural institutions, Terminal 6 will offer arriving visitors from around the world a unique New York experience before they leave the terminal,” said Port Authority executive director Rick Cotton.
In addition to these major installations, the terminal will feature 19 permanent, site-specific works curated by the Public Art Fund. There will also be a rotating display of local art selected by the Jamaica Center for Arts and Learning. Each piece is designed to reflect the diverse and dynamic culture of New York City.
Lincoln Center is contributing a 140-foot mural that celebrates its work across music, dance, theatre, and opera. MoMA has partnered with artist Yoko Ono on a piece inspired by her 2019 work PEACE is POWER. The American Museum of Natural History will create a display drawing from its scientific collections, while the Met’s installation highlights its vast global art collection spanning 5,000 years.
“We’re honored to collaborate with such prestigious institutions—icons in the global arts community and deeply rooted in the spirit of New York City,” said Steve Thody, CEO of JFK Millennium Partners, which is leading the project with the Port Authority. “Each installation will reflect and celebrate the vibrant cultural heartbeat of New York as we welcome the world to JFK and beyond.”
Architect Stanis Smith is overseeing the design of Terminal 6, which will include state-of-the-art architecture, cutting-edge technology, and locally inspired dining and shopping options. The 1.2 million-square-foot terminal will have 10 gates and is expected to generate around 4,000 jobs. Airlines including JetBlue, Lufthansa, Swiss, ANA, Avianca, and Cathay Pacific will operate from the terminal.
The first six gates are scheduled to open later this year, with full completion anticipated by 2028. While Terminal 6 represents a celebration of New York’s artistic spirit, the broader U.S. cultural landscape is facing increasing political scrutiny.
Recent developments have seen the White House urging several U.S. museums to align their content with Donald Trump’s interpretation of American history. This follows Trump’s signing of an executive order titled “Restoring Truth and Sanity to American History,” which accused the Smithsonian of being influenced by a “divisive, race-centered ideology” and called for the removal of “improper ideology” from its museums.
In February, Trump removed the Kennedy Center’s Board of Trustees and replaced them with his supporters. He even named himself chairman and vowed to end events featuring performers in drag, signaling his intent to exert greater control over the institution’s programming schedule.
