MTA Arts & Design (A&D) encourages the use of mass transit in the metropolitan New York area with engaging visual and performing arts and design within the transit environment. A&D’s permanent percent-for-art program, temporary digital art, graphic art, photography, live musical performances and Poetry in Motion are experienced by the 8.5 million people who ride MTA subways and trains daily. Our diverse programs strive to create meaningful connections among sites, neighborhoods, and people. For more information, visit MTA Arts & Design, search #mtaarts on Facebook, Instagram, Tumblr, and Twitter.
Please scroll down to view current Calls for Submissions to A&D programs
Permanent Art Call for Images
To apply to a Permanent Art Call for Images, click Submit next to the opportunities listed below. You will be prompted to enter contact information, and upload materials for consideration.
Download Call for Images Frequently Asked Questions, or email arts@mtahq.org. Please be aware of deadlines (Midnight EST on the date listed) and note that if you are interested in more than one Call listed below, you will need to apply to each Call separately.
Digital Art Call for Submissions
To apply to the Digital Art Call for Submissions, click Submit next to the opportunity listed below. You will be prompted to enter contact information, and upload materials for consideration.
Download Call for Submissions Frequently Asked Questions, or email arts@mtahq.org. Please be aware of deadlines (Midnight EST on the date listed).
Music Under New York Call for Performers
MTA Music Under New York (MTA MUSIC) applications will only be accepted online via Submittable. MTA MUSIC Auditions and Auditions Application dates: January 1, 2025 - March 1, 2025.
To apply for the Music Under New York (MTA MUSIC) Live Auditions, click Submit next to the opportunity listed below. You will be prompted to enter contact information, and upload materials for consideration:
- short online application form;
- up to 2 sample audio files not exceeding 5 minutes in length;
- links to streaming video clips and optional materials such as links to website, social media accounts;
- applicants under 18 MUST include a valid Employment for Child Performer permit.
Download Call for Performers Frequently Asked Questions or email music@mtahq.org.
For any questions about using this site, visit Submittable’s Help Center.
MTA MUSIC AUDITIONS APPLICATIONS
Music Under New York (MTA MUSIC) is one of many visual and performing arts programs administered by Metropolitan Transportation Authority Arts & Design (MTA A&D). MTA MUSIC holds Auditions to add new performers to its roster. Applications will be reviewed and approximately 65 eligible performers will be selected and contacted to participate in the Auditions, held for one day.
During the Auditions, a panel of musicians, music industry professionals, MTA representatives, community arts organizations members and others will judge each five-minute performance on the criteria of quality, variety, and appropriateness for the mass transit environment including number of performers, space requirements, instruments, professionalism, and volume. MTA MUSIC performers are not paid (except for special events) but may accept donations from the public. Through MTA MUSIC, performers call in or “book” their own performances every two weeks.
IMPORTANT INFO:
Your performance for the Auditions MUST be the same as your subway performance with respect to group size and volume. Subway performers must abide by all rules and regulations as posted on the MTA website. Please see the MTA Rules Of Conduct, section 1050.6. Please read the rules carefully before auditioning. Download Call for Performers Frequently Asked Questions.
Download this information as a PDF.
Technical Questions? Check out the Submitter Resource Center or contact Submittable Customer Support.
Apply Now for Consideration
MTA Arts & Design invites new media artists to submit previous artwork to be considered for upcoming digital art installations at Fulton Transit Center and LIRR Grand Central Madison terminal. This is an opportunity to create a dynamic environment through moving images. Artists with prior experience in multiple channel installation are encouraged to apply.
Fulton Center houses a fully-integrated digital network of 52 display screens throughout the complex. Grand Central Madison features 5 LED walls, each measuring 7.5 feet high and 17 feet wide. It is recommended that artists experience the digital art installations at the two locations prior to applying. Please note that neither sites have audio capability.
TO APPLY
Eligibility is based upon artistic merit as evidenced in previous work, exhibition history, awards, honors, and demonstrated proficiency and technical knowledge of digital, moving image, and new media. Artists working primarily in other mediums are welcome to apply, provided they submit a detailed explanation of technical expertise and/or collaboration with technical partners within the application.
All artists interested in being considered must apply online. Please submit up to 5 completed works in digital format (.mov or .mp4) and up to 10 still images (.jpg or .png) with a short application form, a bio, CV, and brief artist statement to mtaarts.submittable.com.
Submissions must be complete by 11:59 PM EST on Sunday, March 30, 2025.
SELECTION PROCESS
Submitted materials will be reviewed and finalists will be selected to develop art proposals for digital art programming throughout 2026. Finalists will be given a detailed overview of the technical and site specifications to create a site-specific artwork proposal, for which they will receive an honorarium.
Project budgets will be determined depending upon the nature of the project, which may include pre- and post-production. As part of the project budget, the selected artist(s) will be required to oversee the production and installation of the digital artwork, with project management by MTA Arts & Design. It is expected that the selected artwork be two minutes in length. The exhibition duration varies depending on the site.
Review and download our Frequently Asked Questions, and direct any inquiries to MTA Arts & Design: arts@mtahq.org.
Technical Questions? Check out the Submitter Resource Center or contact Submittable Customer Support.
Image Credits: (left) LaJuné McMillian, The Portal’s Keeper, 2024, animation, NYCT Fulton Center; (right) Eirini Linardaki, Diaphanous Pareidolia, 2024, animation, LIRR Grand Central Madison.