Open Call: Public Art at DFW Airport Terminal C

Dallas Fort Worth International Airport (DFW) has announced an open call for two new public artworks as part of a major expansion and renovation of Terminal C. The commissions are part of Phase 2 of DFW Forward, a four-phase, 9 billion dollar program upgrading the airport's facilities, and the new works will join a collection that already includes pieces by Sol LeWitt, Terry Allen, and Benito Huerta.

The call is open to artists and artist teams located anywhere in the world. The first project is a large-scale, site-specific suspended installation for arriving passengers heading down to baggage claim, described by the airport as wow-worthy and reflecting its North Texas context while complementing the terminal's architecture. The second project, with similar parameters, will sit overhead in the area where departing passengers wait after security, either as a suspended sculpture or integrated into the ceiling. General themes suggested by DFW include Connected Journeys, Legacy and Innovation, and Cultural Tapestry.

The budget for the first project is 625,000 to 725,000 dollars, and the second is 430,000 to 500,000 dollars, each all-inclusive of artist fees, fabrication, travel, and other expenses. Eligibility guidelines indicate that applicants should be midcareer or well-established artists who have completed at least one comparable large-scale public artwork, with recognition such as awards and notable achievements.

The selection runs in three stages: an expression of interest and qualifications, then concept proposals from a shortlist, and finally the selection of artists to develop final proposals. Shortlisted artists receive a 3,500 dollar fee for their proposals. The call is being managed by the art consultancy MASSIVart, with significant participation from the local art community. Stage two is expected to run from July through October 2026, with final selections made between November 2026 and February 2027.