The Buffalo Bills announced on April 21 the selection of more than 45 artists and art teams who will contribute to the Buffalo Bills Public Art Program at Highmark Stadium, presented by Victory Live. The initiative aims to create a permanent, site-specific art collection throughout the new stadium venue.
The program is designed to support and uplift Western New York’s diverse communities through ongoing cultural investment. It brings together thousands of community members in collaboration with local and national artists.
“Artists are a vital asset to helping create welcoming spaces, and the Buffalo Bills and Highmark Stadium look forward to showcasing the talents and diversity of our arts community,” said Penny Semaia, Vice President of Stadium Relations.
The selection process included an open call for artists, featuring one national search for a signature Bison sculpture as well as three separate calls specifically for local talent focused on ceiling artwork, wall-based art, and murals. The team received 433 applications in total, with over 300 individuals signing up for updates about the public art program. A panel of 27 representatives from Western New York arts and cultural institutions reviewed submissions to ensure that final selections reflected community input. Participating organizations included Art Services Inc., Buffalo AKG Art Museum, SUNY Buffalo State University, Burchfield Penney Art Center, among others.
Artwork will be displayed in forty locations throughout Highmark Stadium. The collection will include sculptural ceiling installations, large-scale murals, and wall-based works of various sizes as part of the stadium’s permanent display. Thousands of community members are expected to participate in creating several featured pieces.
“Arts and sports are universal languages that allow people to express themselves and connect with others across cultures, languages, and generations,” said Holly Hayden, Public Arts Consultant & Artist Liaison. “We couldn’t be more pleased to work closely with so many local and regional artists and see their work featured in Highmark Stadium.”
Looking ahead, the program establishes a framework allowing a percentage of design and construction costs from future projects at Highmark Stadium to be allocated toward public art capital improvements.
