Art at Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport is designed to be experienced by everyone. From tactile artwork and sensory-friendly spaces to braille exhibition signage and immersive audio experiences, the Phoenix Airport Museum is expanding opportunities for travelers to engage with art in ways that are accessible to a wide range of visitors.
Art You Can Touch
In Terminal 4, travelers can experience several touch-friendly artworks, including Six Columns by Ron Gasowski, the large-scale mosaic pillars near the Terminal 4 food court. Created by the artist with assistance from Phoenix elementary school students in 1989, the work features a variety of recognizable shapes, including faces, cars and cacti, embedded within the mosaic tiles.
The tactile qualities of Six Columns offer travelers an opportunity to visually or physically explore artwork. Its prominent location also makes it a useful visual way-finder, signaling to travelers that they have arrived near the food court.
Sensory-Friendly Spaces
For travelers who need a moment of respite, the exhibition Spectral Alchemy currently in the Terminal 4 gallery on level 3 includes a quiet space where travelers can sit and reduce sensory input before continuing their journey. The gallery can be especially valuable for travelers who benefit from reduced noise and lighting, but is available to anyone who simply needs a peaceful place to pause.
WORD in Braille
The Phoenix Airport Museum’s newest exhibition, WORD, features the museum’s first exhibition text panel incorporating braille letters. The addition allows visitors who read braille to independently access information about the artwork on display, creating a more inclusive experience and expanding how visitors can engage with the exhibition.
WORD also features artists whose work is particularly striking using bold graphic elements. Highlights include Annie Lopez’ high-contrast cyanotype prints on tamale paper, Safwat Saleem’s graphically designed book covers, Beth Tom’s 12-foot-wide collaged canvas and Sawyer Boyd’s vividly painted, upcycled letters from old signage.
Listen to Exhibitions
Accessibility also extends beyond the visual arts. In Terminal 3, post-security, the museum’s Sounds Like Arizona exhibition features an engaging audio component highlighting dozens of Native American musicians who have recorded with Phoenix-based record label Canyon Records.
Visitors can stand under an audio dome and listen to selections from the recordings, creating an immersive experience that invites travelers to engage with Arizona’s musical heritage through sound.
Travelers can discover these accessible art experiences and more throughout Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport. Visitors can also access ReBokeh, a mobile application designed for individuals with low vision, for free while visiting the airport.
