DJ performing live in the AESOP raido booth located in the North Terminal building at 95th/Dan Ryan

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

Explore the art and architecture of CTA from your home

Cover of CTA's art and architecture book

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.

On this page:

Future art installations
Locations of selected art
More information:
- 2016 CTA Art Booklet (.pdf)
- News

Future art installations

New public art projects are planned for the following locations over the next few years, including:

Blue Line: Irving Park^c
Pink Line: 18th

^cIndicates an art installation project already underway with a commissioned artist/artist team.

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.