MATT CHAVEZ artist & listener · NYC
Thank you for being here.

I make public art that listens.

I design public artworks that precipitate moments of connection, expression, and catharsis — with inspired collaborators, high-impact organizations, and sometimes tens of thousands of strangers.

See the work Hire me
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150,000+people have written a note, told a secret, or sat down to talk
10years designing and stewarding experiences and events
1.2Kexperiences that made people say “I love this”
5Mpeople looked at my work in real life with their real eyes, and at the very least had a thought as they passed by
The Work

Simple. Honest. Human.

A wall, a table, a telephone. These works developed over time, evolved in unexpected ways, and could never have come to fruition without imaginative trying, ponderous doing, and meticulous thinking. And people, of course.

Subway Therapy

Participatory Public Installation · 2015–Ongoing

A folding table, two chairs, and a wall of sticky notes where strangers say what they can't say anywhere else.

Covered by the New York Times, Washington Post, Guardian, and 40+ outlets · ~5,600 notes archived at the New-York Historical Society · 2017 Brendan Gill Prize · a book with Bloomsbury

subwaytherapy.com →
Subway Therapy — sticky notes and conversations in public space Subway Therapy — sticky notes and conversations in public space Subway Therapy — sticky notes and conversations in public space Subway Therapy — sticky notes and conversations in public space Subway Therapy — sticky notes and conversations in public space Subway Therapy — sticky notes and conversations in public space Subway Therapy — sticky notes and conversations in public space Subway Therapy — sticky notes and conversations in public space Subway Therapy — sticky notes and conversations in public space Subway Therapy — sticky notes and conversations in public space Subway Therapy — sticky notes and conversations in public space Subway Therapy — sticky notes and conversations in public space Subway Therapy — sticky notes and conversations in public space

Listening Lab

Nonprofit Organization · 2021–Ongoing

A 501(c)(3) that treats listening as public infrastructure, teaching young people to design experiences that bring strangers into real conversation.

Anthem Award, Gold (Community Engagement, 2022) · Whitney Museum performance · paid youth residencies with Loisaida Inc. and The Door

listeninglab.nyc →
Listening Lab — a community listening event Listening Lab — a community listening event Listening Lab — a community listening event Listening Lab — a community listening event Listening Lab — a community listening event Listening Lab — a community listening event Listening Lab — a community listening event Listening Lab — a community listening event Listening Lab — a community listening event Listening Lab — a community listening event Listening Lab — a community listening event Listening Lab — a community listening event Listening Lab — a community listening event Listening Lab — a community listening event Listening Lab — a community listening event

Secret Telephone

Participatory Public Installation · 2019–Ongoing

A physical telephone that travels to public spaces and collects secrets, anonymously.

600+ secrets archived

secrettelephone.com →
The Secret Telephone installed in a public space The Secret Telephone installed in a public space The Secret Telephone installed in a public space The Secret Telephone installed in a public space The Secret Telephone installed in a public space The Secret Telephone installed in a public space

The Public Show

A surprise game show, currently in development. That's all you get for now.

Narrative Wayfinding

A workshop on using stories to find opportunity and purpose.

About

Would you like the short or long story?

Matthew Chavez is a multifaceted artist and producer, known for his innovative public art projects and community engagement initiatives. He is the co-founder of Listening Lab, a nonprofit organization dedicated to fostering social cohesion and creating spaces for dialogue within communities. Matthew gained widespread recognition as the creator of Subway Therapy, which was awarded MAS’s Brendan Gill Prize in 2017.

In addition to his artistic endeavors, Matthew joined Idealist.org as a senior producer, where he drives meaningful projects that inspire action and foster community connections. His unique ability to combine creativity with purpose has made him a prominent figure in both the art and nonprofit sectors.

Press

What people say about my work.

“An international symbol of unity and expression.”

The Washington Post

“One of the most significant public expressions of emotion in response to the election… The notes will not be forgotten.”

The New York Times

“A vibrant reminder that you are not alone in your pain, your grief, and your anger.”

Bustle

Also seen in: The Guardian · Wall Street Journal · CNN · Associated Press · NBC News · ABC News · USA Today · Forbes · Esquire · Teen Vogue · Salon · Hyperallergic · Gothamist · Time Out New York · NY1 · ITV News · and about thirty more

Work With Me

A short list of things you can hire me to do.

Talks & keynotes 01

On listening, participatory art, and earning the trust of strangers — with stories from the subway, the Whitney, and 150,000 sticky notes.

Good for: conferences, companies, schools, museums.

Installations & activations 02

A Subway Therapy wall, the Secret Telephone, or something invented for your space and your people. We love to travel.

Good for: festivals, campuses, conferences, public spaces, grand openings.

Experience & program design 03

Education programs, workshops, and incubators that teach people to build connection where they live — including the Anthem Award–winning youth model behind Listening Lab.

Good for: nonprofits, schools, community organizations, funders.

Creative coaching & consulting 04

Creative strategy, community building, and leadership development — for teams that want people to actually talk to each other.

Good for: leaders, teams, artists with a project stuck in their head.

Signs of Hope book cover — a wall of colorful sticky notes

Signs of Hope: Messages from Subway Therapy

Bloomsbury · 2017

The notes, the story, and the strangers behind them. A portion of author proceeds went to the ACLU and Win.

Art in Action book cover — hand-drawn letters over a painted globe

Art in Action: Make a Statement, Change Your World!

Bloomsbury · 2018

Participatory-art projects anyone can run. “An exhortation to undertake projects with purpose.” — Kirkus Reviews

What should we make?

hi@mattchavez.com

Email is best, but I dare you to call me: +1 (678) HEY-MATT

Newsletter @maybemattchavez @subwaytherapy @secrettelephone LinkedIn