The partnership, launched in 1992, was modeled on a similar initiative in the London Underground. It began with four poems by Walt Whitman, Emily Dickinson, William Butler Yeats, and Lucille Clifton. Matt Brogan, executive director of the Poetry Society of America, stated that the program aims to ensure poetry feels like part of the city’s infrastructure.
The selection process is described as intuitive rather than systematic. Brogan and staff search the Poetry Society’s library of over 10,000 books, photocopying potential candidates for debate. A primary constraint is length, with poems typically limited to 12 lines or less to remain legible on subway walls. Brogan noted a strong preference for living poets to emphasize contemporary work, distinguishing the program from London’s frequent use of Shakespeare.
Tina Vaz, head of the MTA’s Arts & Design team, receives six to eight standout selections from the Poetry Society. Her team considers potential art pairings and topical relevance, such as the debut of José Olivarez’s “Instantánea de Harlem” in two languages during Hispanic Heritage Month. Vaz explained that the goal is to create an interior moment of joy, calm, or wistfulness amidst the noise of the commute.
Recent MTA survey data indicates that 74% of respondents are aware of the program, while 80% agreed that seeing art in the subway improves their experience. The MTA is currently recording celebrity readings of the poems, with Robbie Hoffman and Jenny Slate participating so far. The Poetry Society is also planning “The Poem District,” an initiative to cover the walls and windows of the neighborhood around their Brooklyn storefront with poetry.