For many travelers, they’re merely passing through the airport to get to their gate and on their flight to have the real fun. Airports are becoming destinations of their own, and not just a place where people embark and disembark flights. The best airports are stepping up their game and are sharing more of what their city is known for within the terminal. Displays ranging from budding local creatives to famous artists, we’re taking a look at some of the best art museums to be within airports.
Albany International Airport
We’re going to surprise you right from the start. The capital of New York is no stranger to art, and the Albany International Airport’s Art and Culture program is bringing an abundance of local art, especially from up and coming artists, to the terminal. Funded by the airport’s operating budget, the space sets itself apart from the crowd by creating a special space for travelers to wait out their flights, which is important because there are no lounges at the airport. The Albany International Airport Gallery relies on local exhibits to keep travelers engaged and excited in a free place to discover the next great artist.
Amsterdam Schiphol International Airport
Amsterdam’s Rijksmuseum, a world-renowned art museum, has a branch that’s part of the terminal at Schiphol International Airport. If you were too busy during your visit to peruse the galleries while in the city or you’re just passing through, you’ll find many notable works on display. The collection is open at all hours of the day and night. A long layover here can be much more interesting than other major European hubs. Passengers can view important works like “The Windmill” by Johan Hendrik Weissenbruch, “Winter in the Scheveningse Bosjes” by Anton Mauve, and “Landscape in the Dutch East Indies” by Maurits van den Kerkhoff. The rotating collection, situated along Holland Boulevard between Lounge 2 and Lounge 3, allows frequent travelers to explore new pieces each time they are at the airport.
Athens Eleftherios Venizelos International Airport
Ancient Greece comes to you when connecting or departing Athens Eleftherios Venizelos International Airport. Before passing through security, travelers, along with their loved ones and friends can peruse 172 pieces of archaeological artifacts from the Neolithic and Early Helladic eras to the Post-Byzantine period. Some of the pieces join display were actually uncovered during the construction of the airport. Visitors will likely find this to be a special way to cap off a trip to Greece. This collection, in the main terminal building by entrance #3 of the departures level, is complimentary to visit. Other exhibitions include pieces on loan from the Acropolis Museum, and those not traveling through the airport can explore the displays thanks to an online 3D gallery.
Doha Hamad International Airport
Social media lovers have certainly seen people snapping photos with the famous yellow “Lamp Bear” by Urs Fischer inside Doha Hamad International Airport. While it might not be everyone’s taste in art, it certainly makes a statement. The mammoth art display isn’t alone. You’ll find 10 other giant statues, displays and creations within the terminal. These include “A Message of Peace to the World,” a striking sculpture from Iraqi artist Ahmed Al Bahrani. It honors the work of a local nonprofit organization, Reach out to Asia, that supports education in underprivileged Asian countries. Another installation is inspired by wooden toys with American artist KAWS showcasing one of his 32-foot tall clown figures, named “Small Lie.” The curated art on display throughout the terminals is a cooperation between the airport and Qatari Museums.
San Diego International Airport
Continuing expansion and redevelopment plans is a priority for San Diego International Airport, but so is maintaining an impressive and noteworthy collection of regional art to display. Visitors can spot masterpieces around the airport, find sculptures, paintings, and woven textiles. Guests can travel the terminals to discover new and changing pieces of art.
San Francisco International Airport
The SFO Museum has an always changing display of exhibits that spans every type of art. Local student art adorns terminal walls while exceptional photography from area photographers draws travelers in and inspires them to visit places around the Bay Area and beyond. The region’s diverse culture is on display through paintings, sculptures and mosaics that are part of the airport’s permanent collection numbering over 160 pieces. More than two dozen works of art are on display in the airport’s newest Harvey Milk Terminal 1 as well as the attached Grand Hyatt at SFO, which also has some of the best runway views.
Seoul Incheon International Airport
In addition to traditional pieces of art, Seoul Incheon International takes things a bit further by offering interactive experiences and classes for travelers. Within the airport is a branch of the National Museum of Korea, showcasing many pieces from its collection. Rotating exhibits allow frequent travelers to see a different selection of local artifacts and art pieces on different visits. Not only can you enjoy the art, but you can be a part of it. There are traditional music concerts, ancient relic exhibitions, and contemporary art displays.
Singapore Changi International Airport
You’ve likely seen the famous Jewel at Changi International Airport in Singapore, with its garden-enshrouded waterfall that provides a burst of energy after a long flight. Located outside the secure area of the airport, it’s part of a larger shopping complex that encourages visitors, including those who aren’t traveling. But within the airport itself, there are other museum-quality art pieces to discover, like magnificent sculptures suspended from the ceiling, paintings lining the walls, and even a rotating propeller that looks like a blossoming flower.
Vancouver International Airport
Vancouver is Canada’s premier Western gateway, and the airport wastes no opportunity in showing off its origins with amazing regional artwork, including many pieces from Indigenous Nations artists. Throughout the terminal’s departure and arrival areas you’ll find many well-known sculptures including “The Rivers Monument,” two glass-etched poles that portray history from around the region, and “Raven House Posts,” a towering, legendary figure from the Northwest Coast that represents the airport’s theme of land, sea and sky.
