PHILADELPHIA, PA — For over twenty years, the American Association of Airport Executives (AAAE) has spearheaded efforts to bring art into airport spaces through its annual Arts in the Airport Workshop. This year, Philadelphia International Airport (PHL), known for its commitment to integrating art into the passenger experience, hosted the event for the third time, bringing together airport art program directors and curators from across the nation.
The workshop remains the only national event dedicated solely to art in airports, offering professionals an invaluable platform to exchange ideas and strategies to enhance travel spaces while fostering a deeper connection between travelers and local cultures. By combining expert-led discussions, immersive experiences, and art-focused site visits, this year’s workshop at PHL further cemented the importance of art in modern airport environments.
Art as a Transformative Force in Airports
The ambitious agenda included an opening address by AAAE Vice President of Member Experience Gwen Basaria and PHL Department of Aviation Chief Strategy Officer Cassie Schmid. Workshops and panel discussions explored the evolving role of airport art, with a particular focus on curation and design for diverse, transient audiences.
PHL Collections and Exhibitions Curator Helen Cahng, a central figure in integrating art into the airport’s identity, led a key session titled “Curating Exhibitions for Airport Audiences.” The discussion centered on the distinctive challenges of designing exhibitions for such dynamic and high-traffic environments, while ensuring the selected works reflect regional culture and create a sense of place.
“Today’s major airports are like cities, open 24 hours a day, with many of them larger than the downtown areas they serve,” Cahng remarked during her session. She emphasized PHL’s dedication to showcasing Philadelphia-area contemporary artists exclusively in its exhibitions, ensuring a meaningful connection between the city’s creative identity and the millions of passengers passing through annually.
Celebrating Philadelphia’s Thriving Arts Scene
Philadelphia, long celebrated for its public art and wide-ranging artistic movement, provided a fitting backdrop for the workshop. The city boasts a rich blend of cultural institutions, street art, and educational opportunities, making it a hub of creative innovation. Philadelphia’s vibrant arts ecosystem is supported by more than 30 colleges and universities, including prominent arts schools like Tyler School of Art, Moore College of Art & Design, and Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts.
“This educational foundation continually feeds the local art community, which is made up of faculty, students, alumni, and the numerous practicing artists who choose to live in Philly because it’s a vibrant city with world-class museums and a thriving visual and performing arts scene,” Cahng noted.
PHL’s art endeavors aim to mirror this energy, with exhibitions that transform its terminals into cultural showcases. Workshop attendees had the chance to explore the airport’s permanent collections and rotating exhibits through a curator-led tour guided by Cahng, which underscored PHL’s dedication to creating a welcoming and enriching atmosphere for travelers.
Highlighting the Value of Local Art
Alongside the sessions held at the airport, the workshop featured curated visits to prominent art centers across Philadelphia, such as The Clay Studio, Percy Street Project, and the vibrant community space Tattooed Mom. These site visits enabled attendees to experience firsthand the creative pulse of the city and helped illustrate the benefits of linking airport art efforts to local artistic initiatives.
The integration of art in airports goes beyond aesthetics. It fosters cultural richness, improves passenger experience, and even reflects civic pride. Airports, now akin to bustling urban centers, serve as gateways to regional identity, and the AAAE workshop spotlighted this growing recognition within the aviation industry. “We believe in the power of art to transform spaces and create meaningful connections,” Cahng affirmed.
A Benchmark for Future Workshops
Attendees widely praised this year’s event for its comprehensive approach to addressing the complexities and opportunities of airport art curation. For many, it represented an unparalleled opportunity to engage with peers while drawing inspiration from Philadelphia’s robust creative scene. Reflecting on her experience both as an attendee and a host, Cahng remarked, “This year’s AAAE Arts in the Airport Workshop was my first experience, not only attending, but also hosting this event. I feel fortunate for the opportunity to meet and learn from my peers at other airports throughout the country, and to share the rich arts culture that Philadelphia has to offer.”
PHL’s commitment to bridging art and aviation served as an exemplary model during the workshop, showcasing how airports can function not only as centers of travel but as vibrant cultural spaces. Through ongoing initiatives like its exhibitions and partnerships with local artists, Philadelphia International Airport continues to redefine how travelers experience art, solidifying its role as both a transportation hub and an ambassador for Philadelphia’s creative legacy.
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