Metro Art

Reviewed

Project overview

Metro Art is a legacy-building public art program, that will elevate the customer’s experience of public transport in Sydney.

Metro Art

Metro Art commissions public art by leading Australian and NSW artists, both experienced and emerging.

Uplifting, intriguing and diverse public art will prominently and permanently located at each new Sydney Metro station.

This legacy will be enjoyed by the customers and communities that the Sydney Metro serves.

Sydney Metro

Sydney Metro is Australia’s biggest public transport project.

This state-of-the-art, fully accessible, driverless railway first opened in Sydney’s northwest in May 2019.

New lines are currently in delivery. They will run through the Sydney CBD and connect to Sydney’s north, southwest and greater Parramatta, along with servicing Sydney’s greater west, and the new Western Sydney International (Nancy-Bird Walton) Airport.

The Metro Art Vision

Sydney Metro’s vision is to elevate the customer’s journey with art and engagement.

Sydney Metro uses internationally best-practice, urban design and place-making principles for stations, plazas and precincts.

More than just places to catch the train, stations will become engaging centres for contemporary community life. The Metro Art Program is a key part of this place making approach.

Metro Art will enhance the quality and character of each place, elevate the customer experience, and animate daily journeys. It includes line wide stories and site specific public art. Each commission will add to the growing collection.

Art will punctuate arrivals and departures. Artworks will be an engaging part of many thousands of journeys – and transform stations into lively cultural destinations.

The Sydney Metro Art Program

Metro Arts objectives are to:

  • align with Transport for NSW’s commitments to improve customer experience and deliver great places
  • promote inclusivity, community involvement, public pride and ownership of Sydney Metro
  • provide a creative presence within stations
  • commission diverse public art by culturally diverse artists
  • establish a benchmark of high-quality public art and
  • provide a rich legacy.

The Sydney Metro Art Masterplan outlines:

  • the vision and purpose of the art program
  • the commissioning process
  • curatorial approach
  • governance structure and
  • parameters for artistic excellence.