Airport Art Is Curated for Travelers

For decades, art programs at airports around the country and the world have transformed once-unadorned transit hubs into welcoming and relaxing spaces.

At San Francisco International Airport, "Every Beating Second" by Janet Echelman is among the large-scale work commissions by artists of local, national, and international acclaim. Photo courtesy of SFO Museum

Have you noticed paintings, sculptures or murals at airports? If you are usually rushing to get to your gate, probably not. After all, many travelers don’t think of airports as art galleries, but in some cases they are.

For decades, art programs at airports around the country and the world have transformed once-unadorned transit hubs into welcoming and relaxing spaces—especially for the benefit of passengers fatigued from long flights or stuck with lengthy layovers. The magic of art offers calm, joy, and inspiration when airline guests need it most.