EWR Newark Liberty Airport Digital Art Exhibition 2027

Munich Airport NJ, LLC (MANJ), the EWR New Terminal A operator contracted by the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey (PANYNJ), and the New Jersey State Council on the Arts are pleased to present the Newark Liberty International Airport Digital Art Exhibition: The Art of New Jersey. This exciting opportunity is accepting submissions from adult visual artists who are current residents of New Jersey with priority consideration given to artists with a strong connection to Newark and/or Elizabeth. Qualified artists are encouraged to submit their work samples to be considered for a year-long digital exhibition in the new EWR Airport Terminal A, which was rated the World’s Best New Airport Terminal in 2024. Selected artists will be paid a $1,000 stipend by Munich Airport NJ, LLC for the use of their work.

The Art of New Jersey digital exhibition is part of a large-scale public art project at Newark Liberty International Airport’s recently completed Terminal A, focused on creating a transformative customer experience offering a distinctive New Jersey sense of place. The overall goal of the project is to highlight the broad spectrum of talent, opportunity, and cultures that make the Garden State so unique and iconic.

The next installment of this annual exhibition, featuring artwork displayed in the digital welcome banner spanning the departures area of Terminal A will be unveiled in early 2027. Artists’ names and artwork information will be included with the display and on a supporting website.

When applying, artists are encouraged to be considerate of the ridership and public nature of art in transit spaces. The PANYNJ Art Advisory Council will review the submissions received and will select approximately twenty (20) artists’ work to be included in the exhibition. In addition to the digital display of their work in Terminal A for approximately one year, the artists’ name and images of the project will be shared with the public through MANJ’s, PANYNJ’s, and the State Arts Council's communication and social media platforms.

Artists should submit up to two (2) examples of completed two-dimensional work to be considered for use. Work samples submitted will be the basis for the Art Advisory Council’s consideration. PANYNJ and MANJ will work with the selected artists to approve final digital image submissions, and schedule the exhibition of the works in digital gallery displays throughout the terminal. Each selected artist will receive a $1,000 stipend in exchange for the use of their work. Artists will retain copyright to their work.

For this project, we are seeking completed, two-dimensional, still artworks in a digital format for digital display. Artists should submit images of previously completed artworks. We are not seeking new designs, tourism-type posters, or draft/idea sketches for this exhibition.

Submitted works could be high-quality digital images of paintings, drawings, prints, photographs, etc., or work in a native digital format (digital photos, drawings, paintings, etc.). Note: Moving images (films, animations, etc.) and performative work will not be considered for this call.

Upon selection notification, artists will need to provide the digital artwork in a PNG or JPG file with a height of 1080 pixels to MANJ, which will then be processed and added to the digital Welcome Banner in Terminal A. Artists must consider that the work will be displayed in a public location, and display of the digital gallery will be rotated with other digital media on large digital display units throughout the terminal. Selected Artists must work in a timely fashion with the project coordination team to ensure the final work files provided are the correct file type, of high quality for use, and appropriate for public display.

Artists who are selected to participate must be prepared to accept stipend payment via direct bank deposit from MANJ; banking information will be required to be provided by the artists selected in a timely manner at the time of contracting. Inability to meet contract and banking form timelines may result in exclusion from participation. 

The Art Advisory Council, a diverse group of arts experts with a vested interest in the outcomes of this project, has determined the selected work will fall into the general curatorial themes of:

• The story of New Jersey and its people - from prehistory to the current year, indigenous and immigrant experiences, and the state’s unique geographies and communities.
• The state of New Jersey as a year-round destination, with a wide variety of cultural, historic, and innovative opportunities for visitors and residents alike.
• There is no expressed preference for a particular style of work - artistic excellence and appeal to the airport’s passengers will be the determining criteria for selection. The submitted images will be the images being considered for the exhibition.

Important note about what work cannot be considered:

• Work will be displayed in highly public spaces, and as such, work that could be interpreted as offensive, political, sexual, or violent in nature will not be considered.
• Works including logos or business signage of existing businesses, corporations, and the like will not be considered.
• Moving images (films, animations, etc.) and performative work will not be considered.
• AI-generated artwork will not be considered.
• We are not seeking new designs, tourism-type designs/posters, or draft/idea sketches for this exhibition.

Selection Process

PANYNJ leadership will review and approve the works submitted for inclusion. The art selection committee includes members of the New Jersey local artistic community, academic and museum arts experts, tourism and regional government staff, and a representative from the State Arts Council. The committee will review all application materials and make final recommendations. The selection committee reserves the right to reject any or all entries at any time in the review and selection process.

Selection Criteria

The goals of this program are to connect Airport Passengers and staff with new, exciting art experiences during their transit through the Newark Airport, and to provide New Jersey artists with exhibition opportunities and a public venue to share their work.

• All submissions will be evaluated using the following standards:
• High artistic quality of the proposed submission and work samples provided
• Potential for the submission to promote the goals of the program
• Potential for positive experiences or interactions with the proposed submission by New Jersey communities (the intended audience of the work)
• Feasibility of the submission as proposed or with minor changes
• Works selected will be consistent with the opinions, values, and aesthetics of the Port Authority and MANJ.

Budget and Contracts

MANJ will provide one $1,000 stipend to each selected artist/artist team to license their work for digital display for 13 months in Newark Liberty International Airport Terminal A. Approximately twenty (20) artists will be selected to be featured in the digital gallery. Artists will be required to sign a non-disclosure agreement prior to award announcements, and will sign legal contracts with MANJ for the use of their work in EWR Terminal A.

Note: Upon selection notification, artists will need to provide the digital artwork in a PNG or JPG file with a height of 1080 pixels to MANJ which will then be processed and added to the digital Welcome Banner in Terminal A.

Timeline

Call Posted: November 13, 2026 

Deadline for artist submissions: December 20, 2026

Artist Notifications: Spring 2027   

Project opening is scheduled for Summer 2027

Questions?

Technical assistance using CaFÉ is available at: https://www.callforentry.org/artist-help-cafe/

Please direct any other questions regarding this opportunity to Christopher Benincasa, Public Art Manager, New Jersey State Council on the Arts: Christopher.Benincasa@sos.nj.gov

All applications must be submitted through www.callforentry.org (CaFÉ), a free website for artists to use. Artists must register and set up an account in CaFÉ and upload images of their work in order to submit to this call. Submissions will not be accepted or reviewed through any other means.

Media

For this project, we are seeking completed, two-dimensional, still artworks in a digital format for digital display. All static media, in digital format, that is appropriate to the project will be considered.  Artists may submit a total of two (2) completed artworks for consideration.

Application Materials to be Submitted:

• An updated and brief artist bio
• A brief statement that outlines any specific connection you have to Newark and/or Elizabeth
• One to two (total) digital images of existing, completed artwork(s).
• A brief description of the work(s) submitted, including title, medium, size, and helpful additional context (for example: the location of an image, or the artist's intention).

You also must confirm your New Jersey residency and complete an application questionnaire.

This project is open to artists/artist teams who are at least 18 years of age, and legally able to complete a contract with PANYNJ and/or their contracted management for the terminal. Artists (individuals or all team members) must be current residents of the State of New Jersey. Submissions from artists estates are not eligible. Priority will be given to artists who reside in Newark and/or Elizabeth, as the Airport is located in those cities. Artist/artist teams must be able to work effectively and collaboratively to provide requested digital image files of the type and size specified in a timely manner. Further, artists should consider the project timeline prior to submitting a proposal. The exhibition is intended to open in Summer 2027.

Artists who were selected for the 2026 exhibition are not eligible to submit works for consideration for this call.