Metro stations showcasing artists through fully accessible exhibitions

Centenários Project transforms São Paulo’s Yellow Line stations into fully accessible art exhibitions. Co‑curated with people with disabilities and Escola de Gente, it offers Braille, tactile signs, Libras, audio description and free access; it reached 380,000+ people.

Motiva, a large transportation company headquartered in São Paulo, has implemented the Centenários Project through Motiva Institute, a private entity managing the company's social activities. Since 2023, 11 major São Paulo metro stations have been hosting accessible exhibitions showcasing renowned Brazilian artists, with audio descriptions, Braille texts, sign language interpretation, easy-to-read information, and trained staff. From 2023 to April 2025 alone, the project reached over 380,000 people and received significant media coverage.

Problems Targeted

Persons with disabilities face systemic barriers to full participation in cultural life due to inaccessible art venues and exhibitions.

Solution, Innovation and Impact

The Centenários Project turns São Paulo’s metro system into an accessible art venue by holding exhibitions throughout the year in all 11 stations on the Yellow Line 4. Each exhibition pays tribute to leading names in Brazilian literature, architecture, music, and the visual arts. The project ensures physical, sensory, cognitive, and digital accessibility through Universal Design. Features include Braille and tactile signage, easy-to-read text/easy-to-understand language, sign language (Libras) in videos, subtitles, and audio description. Trained staff are on hand to support all visitors. People with disabilities have been involved from the outset, and the inclusive curation has been overseen by Escola de Gente, a Brazilian NGO that promotes social inclusion and accessible communication. The exhibitions are free and are included in the metro fare, reaching a large and diverse audience. From 2023 to April 2025, the project reached over 380,000 people and received significant media coverage. The reach of each new exhibition has increased, with the 2025 installation at Luz Station attracting nearly 200,000 visitors in a few months. The full series of 11 exhibitions will be completed by 2026, with plans for future expansion into virtual formats and additional public spaces.

Funding, Outlook and Transferability

The Centenários Project is financed through Motiva Institute’s operational budget, with in-kind support from Escola de Gente, a national NGO. No separate ticket or funding is required for visitors. With three exhibitions planned in new stations for 2026, the approach is proven, fully replicable, and set for expansion to further stations and other mass transit systems. (#ZeroCall26)

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