Mapping the Underground Art Scene

Earlier this month Maps Mania reviewed Subway Stories, a visualization of subway journeys on the NYC subway system. The map was developed for the 2024 MTA Open Data Challenge.  Now, the MTA has announced the winner of that challenge: Art Off the Rails, an interactive map showcasing the artworks of the MTA.

Art Off the Rails uses the MTA's extensive art catalog to map the locations of artworks in New York's subway, Metro-North, and Long Island Rail Road stations. This innovative tool turns your daily commute into a cultural journey by highlighting the incredible variety of public art across the Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) system.

The New York subway system is home to hundreds of stunning works of art. From intricate mosaics to striking sculptures, these pieces enrich commuters’ daily journeys underground. With Art Off the Rails, commuters can delve into the history, artists, and stories behind each MTA art installation.

Stations with artworks are marked on the map as white circles, with the size of the circle indicating the number of artworks at that location. This feature makes it easy to explore the artistic highlights along your subway route. From the beloved Alice in Wonderland-themed mosaics at the 50th Street station to Roy Lichtenstein's Times Square mural and the abstract glass installations at Fulton Center, the MTA subway is filled with fascinating works of art. Now, with the Art Off the Rails interactive map, you can uncover and appreciate these artistic gems.

The London Underground's Art on the Underground map is a little more analog. While there isn’t yet an interactive map for the artworks on the Tube, the Art on the Underground website offers a free downloadable PDF Art Map. This printable guide (a snippet of which is shown above) uses the iconic Harry Beck-inspired schematic layout of the London Underground system.

On this map, numbers indicate the locations of artworks across the Tube network. A key provides details about each numbered artwork, including its title, artist, and precise station location. The London Underground map features works by notable artists such as Eduardo Paolozzi, Mark Wallinger, and Clare Woods.