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Arts on the T

A mural painted by Todd McKie at South Station's bus terminal.
Mural painted by Todd McKie at South Station's bus terminal.

Music

The MBTA permits musical performances at a number of subway stations in metro Boston. Musicians in stations must have a license and remain in designated areas.

Learn more about the Subway Performers Program and how to apply through the Massachusetts Realty Group, the MBTA's real estate division.

Fan Favorite Friday

Every Friday, we spotlight our favorite MBTA-themed posts. Tag @thembta on Instagram and we’ll DM you with the details.

Visual Art

Since 1967, the MBTA has enlisted the help of local artists to bring character to our system. When you ride with us, you'll find more than 100 pieces of artwork featured on 6 of our transit lines. 

Marybeth Mungovan and Jason Asselin's goldfish mural at World Trade Center Station.

Marybeth Mungovan and Jason Asselin's goldfish mural at World Trade Center Station.

Joel Janowitz's mural of cows in Alewife Station.

Joel Janowitz's mural of cows in Alewife Station.

Lilli Ann K. Rosenberg's mosaic in Park Street Station.

Lilli Ann K. Rosenberg's mosaic in Park Street Station.

Ceramic tiled mural by Malou Flato at Stony Brook Station.

Ceramic tiled mural by Malou Flato at Stony Brook Station.

A bus passes György Kepes’ stained-glass installation “Blue Sky on the Red Line” on the Upper Busway at Harvard Station (February 2021).

A bus passes György Kepes’ stained-glass installation “Blue Sky on the Red Line” on the Upper Busway at Harvard Station (February 2021).

View these works:  

red line  Red Line 

orange line  Orange Line 

green line  Green Line 

blue line  Blue Line 

silver line  Silver Line 

commuter rail  Commuter Rail 

Submit Your Artwork 

The MBTA runs three programs to feature artwork in stations: 

Temporary Art and Murals

Throughout the year, we commission community and youth groups to create temporary murals and art installations.
Integral Art

When building new stations or renovating existing ones, we solicit bids from local artists to create artwork that is integrated into the structure of the station itself. 
Community Partnership Art

Through this program, artists and community groups can submit bids for more permanent artwork in stations.

Open Calls for Art 

There are currently no open calls for station construction projects. View some of our previous solicitations for integral art to get a sense of how they work. Check this page for upcoming projects. 

Filming 

The MBTA is an iconic part of the Boston cityscape. Our transit system has appeared in many films set in the area.  

To film any scene involving the MBTA, you need a film permit. Email filming@mbta.com for more information. 

Read the full photography policy 

Learn about filming and photography involving the MBTA 

Fan Favorite Friday

Every Friday, we spotlight our favorite MBTA-themed posts. Tag @thembta on Instagram and we’ll DM you with the details.