Bengaluru Airport’s Terminal 2 ranks among world’s top 5 for art and design

Skytrax recognition and art programme launch

Bengaluru’s Kempegowda International Airport Terminal 2 has been ranked among the top five globally in Skytrax’s World’s Best Art in the Airport category, according to YourStory. The Art Programme, formally launched on September 8, 2023, aims to integrate art with infrastructure, positioning the airport as a cultural gateway.

The programme features over 300 artworks by more than 100 artists, with more than 90% of the pieces commissioned specifically for the airport. These works are displayed across arrival and departure sections of both domestic and international terminals.

Cultural themes and institutional collaborations

The art installations interpret Karnataka’s cultural heritage and the nine fundamental human emotions outlined in Bharata’s Natyashastra: love, laughter, sorrow, anger, heroism, fear, disgust, wonder, and peace. This thematic approach ties the airport’s design to broader cultural narratives.

Institutional partners such as the Department of Archaeology Museums and Heritage and the Museum of Art and Photography collaborated on the programme. The project also involved open calls, patronage, and art-led events to develop the collection.

Design and passenger engagement

Skidmore, Owings & Merrill (SOM) led the architecture and interior design of Terminal 2, integrating art, sustainability, technology, and biophilic elements. Flight information displays suggest passengers explore art installations, depending on their available time.

A prominent sculpture by Catalan artist Jaume Plensa, titled Bengaluru's Soul, is installed in the arrival plaza, serving as a landmark for visitors and passengers.

What this means

Lazyfounder analysis — our interpretation, not reported fact.

The recognition of Bengaluru’s Terminal 2 in global rankings reflects a growing trend of embedding cultural and artistic elements into large-scale infrastructure projects. For founders and operators, this signals a shift toward experiential design in public spaces, where art and technology intersect to enhance user engagement. Airports, transit hubs, and urban developments may increasingly seek partnerships with artists, designers, and cultural institutions, creating new avenues for collaboration in sectors like aviation, tourism, and urban planning.

India’s creative economy is gaining visibility on the world stage, and projects like this could inspire similar initiatives in other cities. Startups working in experiential design, biophilic architecture, or cultural technology might find opportunities to scale their solutions in public infrastructure projects. Meanwhile, artists and cultural organisations could leverage such platforms to reach broader audiences and secure institutional support.

Key takeaways

• Airports and public infrastructure projects in India are increasingly prioritising cultural integration, creating opportunities for artists, designers, and cultural institutions to collaborate with large-scale developments.
• The recognition of Bengaluru’s airport in global rankings signals growing global interest in India’s creative economy, which could attract more investment and partnerships for local artists and cultural startups.
• Founders in the experiential design, biophilic architecture, and cultural technology spaces may find new use cases in public infrastructure projects, particularly in sectors like aviation, urban development, and tourism.

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