Arts in the Airport Workshop

7:45 - 8:45 a.m.

 8:45 - 9 a.m.

Speakers:

Gwen Basaria
Vice President, Member Experience and AAAE Foundation
AAAE

Cassie Schmid
Chief Strategy Officer
Philadelphia International Airport

9 - 10:30 a.m.

The workshop opens with a showcase featuring all airports in attendance. Hear straight from your peers about what’s new and exciting with their arts programs as everyone presents stories, images, and experiences from the last year. The presentations are short and sweet, with a three-slide/five-minute limit. Submit your slides here!

10:30 - 11 a.m.

11 - 11:45 a.m.

Today’s major airports are like cities, open 24 hours a day, with many of them larger than the downtown areas they serve. Far from the pristine “white cube” typically found in galleries and museums, airport exhibitions need to be vibrant and eye-catching, while also distinguishing themselves from the abundant signage and advertising. Join PHL curator, Helen Cahng, as she describes the unique challenges of curating airport exhibitions to create a sense of place and reflect the culture of the Philadelphia-area art community.

Helen Cahng
Collections & Exhibitions Curator
Philadelphia International Airport

11:45 a.m. - 12:45 p.m.

Sponsored by National Terrazzo & Mosaic Association

12:45 - 1 p.m.

1 - 1:30 p.m.

1:45 - 4 p.m.

Artist talks by Michael Morgan, Mickayel Thurin, and George Rodriguez.

4 - 4:30 p.m.

4:30 - 6:30 p.m.
Located at 1425 N American Street

The Clay Studio inspires curiosity and discovery around the art and craft of clay, drawing together students, artists, and an engaged public into a welcoming community. Founded in 1974, The Clay Studio continues in the belief that shared creativity, so fundamental to humanity, is a critical force for good.

We will visit two exhibitions, The Future of Clay and Clay as Care. Immediately following the tour, we will enjoy a cocktail reception at Clay Studio. Attendees can taxi or rideshare back to the hotel.

7:45 - 8:45 a.m.

8:45 - 9 a.m.

9 - 10:15 a.m.

Prepare to be inspired by a second round of highlights from your peers!

10:15 - 10:45 a.m.

10:45 a.m. - 12 p.m.

Discover how performing arts bring airports to life! Join Krin and Ben as they share best practices for selecting and booking musicians, curating live shows in an airport setting, and their experiences showcasing music, dance, and live performances that forge powerful connections between artists and travelers at Minneapolis-Saint Paul International Airport.

Ben Owen
Director, Arts
MSP Airport Foundation

Krin McMillen
Music and Entertainment Manager
MSP Airport Foundation

12 - 1 p.m.

Sponsored by Franz Mayer of Munich

1 - 2 p.m.

2:30 - 3:45 p.m.

Let's have an interactive "pass the mic" session where we discuss the latest trends, challenges, and innovative ideas for integrating arts into airports. This informal open forum is a great opportunity to exchange insights, brainstorm fresh concepts, and collaborate on advancing the role of the arts in creating vibrant airport experiences.

3:45 - 4 p.m.

4 - 4:30 p.m.

Visit "Electric Street" on Percy Street

Mural artist David Guinn will speak about how the project, a collaboration with lighting designer Drew Billiau, came to be.

4:30 - 7 p.m.
Tattooed Mom, 530 South Street

After our visit to Percy Street, we will venture to Tattooed Mom for a cocktail reception on their second floor. From the first tag to the latest wheat paste, upstairs at TMom's has been home to a rich history of local and international street art. This is an ever-changing gallery: an un-curated and spontaneous outpouring of creativity by local and traveling artists and the countless visitors who leave their unique mark here nightly.

Following the reception, attendees can taxi or rideshare back to the hotel.

7:45 - 8:45 a.m.

8:45 - 9 a.m.

9 - 10:15 a.m.

The adoption of institutional partnerships can have enduring and reciprocal benefits for airport art programs and the organizations they team up with. Establishing a process of sharing expertise, branding, exhibition goals and resources can generate an exponential creative result that builds audiences and opportunities for all involved. This year, ALB developed partnerships with both The Wild Center, an award-winning museum in upstate New York, and Southwest Airlines, to develop unique and ambitious art-centered projects. By partnering with Pilchuck Glass School and the Museum of Glass in Tacoma, SEA Airport is offering artists the opportunity to expand and enrich their knowledge of glass. Forging connections to the airport's regional creative economic drivers can enrich the program, signal the airport's dynamic place within a community, and support the reach of the partnered institutions.

Kathy Greenwood    
Director, Art & Culture Program
Albany International Airport

Annabelle Goavec
Public Art Program Coordinator    
Seattle-Tacoma International Airport

Stephanie Ratcliffe
Executive Director
The Wild Center

10:15 - 10:45 a.m.

10:45 a.m. - 12 p.m.

Art and AI at Airports: At the Intersection of Creativity and Technology
Artificial intelligence (AI) is being used across various fields to enhance efficiency, solve complex problems, and create new opportunities. AI and the field of art intersect in fascinating and transformative ways, blending technology with creativity to push the boundaries of what is possible. This session will feature projects by artists Refik Anadol at LAX, by Angela McQuillan at PHL, and by local artist and educator Tyler Kline that investigate the integration of human ingenuity and artificial intelligence to explore new forms of visual expression and new ways to engage with audiences.

Sarah Cifarelli
LAX Art Program Director
Los Angeles World Airports

Tim McGowan
LAX Art Exhibitions Manager
Los Angeles World Airports

Refik Anadol (via pre-recorded video)
Artist

Angela McQuillan
Artist and Owner
Chimaera Gallery

Tyler Kline
Artist, Curator, and Educator

12 - 1 p.m.

1 - 2:30 p.m.

Explore case studies from three airports, showcasing their unique experiences commissioning and installing permanent art. Learn how they navigate the complexities of integrating art into spaces that are constantly evolving due to airport expansions, construction, and operational demands. Attendees will gain insights into managing logistics, coordinating with multiple stakeholders, and ensuring the longevity of installations in dynamic environments, while maintaining the artistic vision. These real-world examples will offer practical guidance for those looking to manage or implement art programs in similar settings.

Alton DuLaney    
Curator of Public Art
Houston Airport System

Dorothy Dávila
Director of Creative Partnerships 
Public Art Fund

Amy Owen
Senior Program Manager, Public Art
San Francisco Arts Commission

2:30 - 3 p.m.

3 - 4 p.m.

In addition to its exhibition program, PHL presents monthly demonstrations by exhibiting artists and performers to engage airport guests and staff. Enjoy this presentation of past demos, including Marshall James Kavanaugh (Dream Poet for Hire), Philadelphia Guild of Handweavers, and pottery wheel throwing.

Ursula Stuby
Assistant Director of Exhibitions
Philadelphia International Airport

4 p.m.