Public Art

Our transit system is a living, interactive gallery of unique works of art and architectural design elements that reflect the cultural influences of the men and women who have lived and worked in the communities we've served for more than a century.

Over the last several years, our collection of public art has undergone its largest expansion ever – doubling in size and featuring more than 80 works of art and significant architectural details across the system, including mosaics, sculptures and paintings by both up-and-coming and marquee talent.

Public transit is more than just a means to and from work or school, it’s also an opportunity to learn and inspire with each trip taken. The investments we’ve made in public art and architecture are a reflection of how much we value you and the communities we serve by providing a friendlier, more inviting atmosphere, while also offering a glimpse into the rich history and unique characteristics of the surrounding neighborhoods.

What's new

Bringing arts, culture and community experiences directly into CTA spaces

Elevating Culture Through Transit is a partnership between the Chicago Transit Authority, Elevated Chicago and community-based cultural organizations that brings performances, public art and creative programming directly into transit environments.

Through activations at CTA stations and surrounding public spaces, the initiative creates opportunities for artists and performers to engage riders, celebrate neighborhood culture and transform everyday transit experiences into moments of connection and discovery.

The program supports CTA’s efforts to create welcoming spaces for riders while highlighting the diverse communities and cultural traditions found throughout Chicago.

Learn more

Art activations

CTA is seeking proposals for temporary public artwork, performances, and community-driven cultural activations at CTA rail stations to bring arts and culture programming to the community. The purpose of the activations will be to create more welcoming, inclusive, and safer spaces for riders and employees. Artwork and performance should be temporary in nature; lasting no more than 1 year in length.

Learn more

Local art vending machine

CTA partnered with Good Things Vending and the agency’s existing CTA Gifts vendor, Transit Gifts, to launch a new vending machine at the Chicago Red Line station.  

This vending machine offers a wide selection of unique items including notebooks, charms, canvas tote bags, playing cards, Pokémon figures, CTA train magnets and floaty pens as well as other items created by local artists. All of the items are $25 and under.

Good Things Vending is locally owned and manages vending machines with unique products made by local artists. The casing of each Good Things Vending machine has a unique, artist-created design. Local artist, Damiane Nickles worked on the machine located at the Chicago Red Line station.

Locations of selected art

Many of the pieces featured in our public art collection are a result of the Arts in Transit Program – funded by the Federal Transit Administration and coordinated locally through CTA, the City of Chicago Public Art Program, and the Chicago Department of Transportation. A number of other pieces were created through our former Adopt-A-Station program and through partnerships with local artists and organizations, including Gallery 37, Chicago Public Art Group and Marwen.

 * Indicates locations featuring new art installations since 2010. 

Kimball
Kedzie
Francisco
Rockwell
Western
Damen
Montrose
Irving Park
Addison
Paulina
Southport
Belmont
Wellington
Diversey*
Fullerton*
Armitage
Sedgwick
Chicago
Merchandise Mart
Washington/Wabash*

Howard
Wilson*
Belmont
Wellington
Diversey*
Fullerton*
Armitage
Sedgwick
Chicago
Merchandise Mart
Washington/Wabash*

Howard
Jarvis*
Morse*
Granville*
Thorndale*
Bryn Mawr*
Berwyn*
Argyle*
Lawrence*
Wilson*
Addison
Belmont
Fullerton*
Roosevelt
Cermak-Chinatown*
Sox-35th*
47th*
Garfield*
63rd*
69th*
79th*
87th*
95th*

Howard

54th/Cermak
Kostner
Pulaski
Central Park
Kedzie
California
Western
Damen
18th
Washington/Wabash*

Cumberland
Harlem
Jefferson Park*
Montrose*
Irving Park*
Addison*
California*
Western*
Damen*
Jackson*
UIC-Halsted*
Racine*
Illinois Medical District*

Midway
Pulaski
Roosevelt
Washington/Wabash*

Garfield*
Cermak-McCormick Place*
Roosevelt
Washington/Wabash*
Morgan*
Damen*
Kedzie*
Conservatory-Central Park Drive
Cicero*

Chicago/Austin bus turnaround*
CTA Headquarters
Union Station Transit Center*

More information

Explore the art and architecture of CTA from your home

For the first time ever, our collection of public art and architecture are celebrated and chronicled in detail in the new Elevated: Art and Architecture of the Chicago Transit Authority—a 448-page hardcover book that serves as a guide to the more than 70 works of art and 24 significant architectural elements featured across our rail and bus system. The book features stunning visuals captured through the lens of Chicago photographer Aron Gent, as well as essays by Ruth Lopez, a Chicago-based arts and culture essayist, world-renowned Chicago-based artist and architect Iker Gil, as well as Chicago’s official Cultural Historian, Tim Samuelson.

Proceeds from the book, which is available for purchase via CTAgifts.com, will support our public art program.

Download our 2016 public art booklet

 2016 cta public art booklet (.pdf)

Press releases