O’HARE PUBLIC ART COLLECTION
Passengers traveling through Chicago O’hare International Airport have the opportunity to view a new collection of artwork in Terminal 5.
The $3.5 million art commission is located at O’hare’s Terminal 5 (T5)—which handles international flights from over 30 airlines—and is led by the Chicago Department of Aviation (CDA) and the Chicago Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events.
Upon its completion in early 2024, the exhibition will showcase 19 displays from over 20 artists, representing the largest single acquisition of local artists’ works by the City of Chicago in the last 30 years. The works range from video displays to neon to mixed media instillations.
Most of the art will be displayed in the T5 international arrivals corridor, in addition to being shown on the concourse and in the baggage claim area of the terminal. O’hare also has art in its Multi-modal Facility, which houses rental car operations and public parking.
“Public art tells the story of our city—its beauty, its resilience, the soul of Chicago,” said Mayor Brandon Johnson. “We’re proud to share Chicago’s story and the power of the arts with visitors from across the globe—at O’hare and in diverse communities across this great city. This is the kind of innovative and unique opportunity that can help continue to bolster and support our public arts scene in Chicago and beyond.”
The exhibition is part of a $1 billion expansion and renovation of T5 that began in March 2019 with O’hare 21, the airport’s modernization program. Along with public art, a refurbished T5 will have other additions such as 10 new gates and an 85% increase in passenger amenity capacity.
Artwork has been completed and unveiled in phases at T5 throughout 2023, as the overall terminal project has been opened in phases throughout the year.
“For millions of passengers, Terminal 5 is their first impression of not only Chicago, but our entire country — and there is no better way to showcase the essence, the diversity, and the beauty of Chicago than through the arts,” said CDA Commissioner Jamie L. Rhee.
Go to flychicago.com/artord to view the entire art collection. Visit Ord21.com to learn more about O’hare 21 and follow @fly2ohare on social media for the latest updates from the O’hare team.