The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey and JFK Millennium Partners (JMP), the company selected to build and operate the $4.2 billion Terminal 6 (T6) at John F. Kennedy International Airport, has awarded artist Jane Dickson a commission to create a bronze medallion for the arrivals plaza.
“Great works of public art are a signature part of our strategy to build new, world-class airport terminals that will create a sense of place unique to New York,” said Port Authority Executive Director Rick Cotton. “In addition to an already extensive art program at Terminal 6, the bronze medallion to be located in the arrivals plaza will provide a fitting welcome to a city that is considered the art capital of the world.”
Dickson, who lives and works in New York City, joins 18 featured artists (including 10 others from New York) who will capture the spirit of the city with a diverse range of artworks seamlessly integrated into the terminal. The art program is led by Public Art Fund, the independent nonprofit organization dedicated to art in public spaces.
The exterior medallion, located at the arrivals plaza, will welcome visitors and will be located near a terrace with greenery. The 14-foot-diameter circular medallion will be fabricated in durable cast bronze using low-relief casting techniques. Masterwork Plaques, known for its expertise in ground-based artwork, will collaborate with Dickson to translate her vision into bronze.
“As an international gateway to the city, JFK Terminal 6 will be inspiring, including when you step out the door,” said George Casey, chairman of JFK Millennium Partners and Chair & CEO of Vantage Group. “Our commitment to transforming the JFK travel experience will create moments of reflection and connection throughout the terminal’s new spaces.”
Dickson frequently makes New York City her subject and has been a pioneer in the exhibition of digital public artworks in New York City. In 1982, she initiated the Public Art Fund series, “Messages to the Public,” which displayed works by artists including Keith Haring, David Hammons and Jenny Holzer on Times Square’s Spectacolor billboard.
“The art program at Terminal 6 captures the spirit of New York City as a global destination for art and culture,” said Nicholas Baume, artistic and executive director of Public Art Fund. “After experiencing the stunning works of art inside the building, arriving travelers will step outside to be greeted by Jane Dickson’s striking bronze medallion.”
Public Art Fund has worked collaboratively to develop the art program with key stakeholders including The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, and JFK Millennium Partners’ consulting architect Stanis Smith. Site-specific public art commissions by 19 leading artists drawn from New York, as well as national and international communities, will be integrated throughout the new terminal.
JFK Millennium Partners is developing Terminal 6 in two phases, with the opening of the first section expected in 2026 and construction completion in 2028.
