Public art, performances and cultural 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.
2026 program
Organizations, artists, or performers can apply for up to $50,000 in funding for temporary artwork or performances in 2026. Please review the Program Guidelines for more detailed information about types of activations that are allowed, limitations, restrictions, and terms and conditions.
Key dates
- Thursday, May 21, 2026: Call for proposals opens
- Wednesday, June 3, 2026: Questions due (CTA will provide responses by Thursday, June 11, 2026)
- Wednesday, July 1 2026 by 5:00 p.m. CT: Application deadline
- Late July, 2026: CTA notifies selected participants
Activation areas
CTA is soliciting proposals in 2026 to activate the following stations or areas adjacent to stations such as plazas, where applicable:
- 95th Street Red Line Station
- Damen Green Line Station
- Damen Pink Line Station
- Kimball Brown Line Station
CTA is not seeking proposals for other stations areas or properties at this time.
Application process
To apply, please fill out the web application here. For questions or assistance, please reach out to [email protected]
Goals & eligibility
To be eligible for this program, prior experience with public art is not required. The CTA seeks to commission temporary contemporary works or performances, which will be evaluated based on the following criteria:
- Strong artistic quality
- Relation to the location, environment, or neighborhood
- Provide an improved and more attractive transit experience
- Encourage a safer, more welcoming and inclusive transit environment
- Feasibility of duration, dates, and activation in relation to heavy ridership times, special events, and potential impact on the station environment and service
- Visual:
- Fabricated of safe, durable materials and processes
- Require minimal maintenance
- Performance:
- Performances that prioritize the safety and well-being of the performers and audience
Artists who have completed a commission for permanent artwork at a CTA transit station through the CTA Arts in Transit Program or whose artwork (individual or artist-team) is permanently exhibited at a CTA transit facility are ineligible. Any artwork, whether commissioned by CTA or part of an Adopt-a-Station or similar program, which remains attached to CTA property for a period of four years or more is defined as a permanent artwork.
CTA employees and their relatives, and contractors of CTA are ineligible.
Evaluation process
A review committee comprised of internal stakeholders in key CTA departments like Operations, Government and Community Relations, and others, will initially review the responses and eliminate non-viable responses. The review committee will evaluate the remaining responses. Final selection of proposals / artists may require an interview (in person or virtually).
The CTA reserves the right to require interviews from any or all of the finalists in contention for negotiations or award of this contract. Failure of a finalist to report for an interview will be cause to dismiss that finalist from further consideration. The CTA, however, shall not be obligated to interview any finalist or conduct negotiations with any finalist. The interview may take place in person or via telephone conference call.
Additional information about evaluation is provided in the Program Guidelines.
Contact us
Email us at [email protected]