Buffalo Bills Public Art Program

The Buffalo Bills are committed to creating and expanding a public art program at Highmark Stadium and dedicate resources to its growth and diversification. One way to achieve this objective is to create a permanent art presence at Highmark Stadium through the Buffalo Bills Public Art Program.

The Buffalo Bills Public Art Program seeks to commission professional visual artists, or artist teams, to create site-specific public artwork(s) at Highmark Stadium. This artwork will be thematic, public-facing, and part of the permanent collection at the stadium.

Through an open Call for Artists RFQ /RFP process, the Public Art Program will solicit applicants, review portfolios, and select qualified artists or artist teams who can innovatively and thoughtfully design within the context of the new stadium.

Over three separate Calls for Artists, the Buffalo Bills Public Art Program will seek sculptural ceiling art, murals, and wall-based artworks of various sizes and budgets to be curated on all stadium levels.

The public art at Highmark Stadium will reflect the city's diverse demographics, team and fan engagement, and welcome travelers of all backgrounds to experience artwork in an inclusive environment. Arts and sports are universal languages, allowing people to express themselves and connect across cultures, languages, and generations.

The Buffalo Bills Public Art Program at Highmark Stadium is dedicated to an equitable art procurement process. Calls for Art within the stadium will follow national best practice standards for public art, receptive Q&A, transparent details, and public sharing, and allow opportunities for professional artists locally, regionally, and those with strong ties to Buffalo, at various skill levels and budget ranges.

The Buffalo Bills Public Art Program will strive to set expectations, explain processes, and maintain transparency. Selected artwork areas within the stadium are limited and not every artist who applies may be chosen to participate. The Art Program will not be an artwork lottery, placement service, or open voting opportunity but a competitive process that will commission new artworks to grow the Buffalo Bills' permanent collection over time.

A selection panel representing a diverse group of arts professionals, stakeholders, and Buffalo community members will review the artists' applications and participate in the proposal selection processes.

Artists are a vital asset in helping create welcoming spaces, and the Buffalo Bills & Highmark Stadium look forward to showcasing the talents and diversity of our arts community.

Artists seeking additional opportunities to participate can opt-in to be added to our mailing list for future updates.

All inquiries contact: stadiumpublicart@gmail.com

Non-Discrimination: In the performance of work under the Public Art Program, the Buffalo Bills shall not discriminate in any way against any Artist because of their race, color, creed, national origin, religion, sex, age, marital or parental status, sexual orientation, socio-economic status, or the presence of physical or mental handicaps not pertinent to performance or completing the artwork, or any other characteristic protected by law.

Professional visual artists or artist teams at least 18 years of age are eligible. Artists residing in Erie County and Western New York are eligible to apply. In addition, artists living outside these areas who can demonstrate significant ties to Buffalo, Western New York, Orchard Park, and/or the Buffalo Bills in their Letter of Interest are also eligible to apply.

Demonstrated experience creating commissioned public art and working with diverse community stakeholders is desired.

Full-time employees of the Buffalo Bills, Bills Stadium & Events Company, LLC, Legends, the County of Erie (including any appointees thereof), Erie County Stadium Corporation (including any appointees thereof), and each of their respective project consultants, project contractors, and employees and subcontractors are ineligible to apply.

What is the timeline for Calls For Artists and stadium artwork to be placed? Have I missed the deadline?

Highmark Stadium will open in 2026. The chosen artworks will be installed prior to that date in various timelines based on the location and complexity of the installation. The Calls for Artists will be issued February-March 2025. Stay tuned for more information.

How can I be informed of Buffalo Bills Public Art Program and updates?

To stay up-to-date with Calls for Art RFQs/RFPs, timelines, info-sessions, and public art updates, OPT-IN to our Buffalo Bills Public Art Program email list here.

I'm an artist, how can I submit my work for consideration?

The Buffalo Bills Art Program will be a competitive Call for Artists through CallForEntry.org. This will be a public art application process, not a lottery or placement service. Details about the Calls for Artists will be listed within the RFQs/RFPs. Please do not send portfolios or links directly to us. Applications will only be accepted through the CallForEntry.org platform. Creating a profile and applying is free.

Can I submit proposals for my artwork idea?

Details and requirements for the Calls for Artists will be listed within the RFQs/RFPs. Please do not send portfolios or links directly to us. Applications will only be accepted through the CallForEntry.org platform. Creating a profile and applying is free.

How to Apply? How should I prepare for the Calls for Artists process?

Create your FREE account on CallForEntry.org. Upload your portfolio images, resume/CV. Visit “How to Apply” on CallForEntry.org for assistance.

Can I apply to more than one stadium location?

Yes, prospective artists can apply for as many RFQ locations as they choose, although artists/teams will only be selected for one location. Each location will be a separate application through CallForEntry.org, as there are separate Selection Panels reviewing them. Also, keep in mind, your letter of interest may need to be edited for each location to help the Selections Panels better understand your art/team/vision/process and how that may fit best within each location.

Can I submit existing artwork or only new work?

The Buffalo Bills Public Art Program at Highmark Stadium is for new site-specific work created to best fit each stadium location.

Please do not send portfolios or links directly to us. Applications will only be accepted through the CallForEntry.org platform. Creating a profile and applying is free.

Can I donate sports artwork or memorabilia to the new Stadium?

At this time we are not accepting artwork donations or sports memorabilia.

I'm an artist and want to be involved with the stadium art process, but I don't have large-scale public art experience.

There are multiple opportunities available to submit artworks for consideration in various sizes and levels, also in other areas including rotating art, displays and exhibits. Partnerships with multiple artists and/or fabrication studios with experience are eligible to enter RFQs.

Can I connect & apply with other artists, fabricators or art teams?

Yes, we encourage art groups to apply to meet the qualifications

Note: Highmark Stadium does not directly partner teams or facilitate agreements between artists and fabricators.

What is the Curation process for the artworks?

The Buffalo Bills Public Art Program selection process will consist of an open Call for Artists application process, reviewed by local Selection Panelists, shortlisting artists, proposals, and presentations to determine the finalist. Please review each Call For Artists for specific details, application materials, and judging criteria.

What type of artwork are you considering for the Stadium?

Refer to the RFQ details for each type of artwork requested. Sculpture, murals, and wall-based art (traditional, 3-D, digital) may be accepted.

Will the artwork in the new Stadium feature all local Buffalo artists?

The Buffalo Bills Public Art Program is open to regional and local artists. Specifics about local and regional area opportunities and requirements are included in the RFQs.

I am a for-profit company not an artist, can I apply for the RFQ?

No, unless you are part of an artist team.

The RFQ eligibility states:

"Professional visual artists, or artist teams, at least 18 years of age are eligible. Demonstrated experience working with diverse community stakeholders is desired. Full-time, permanent Buffalo Bills employees, project consultants, project contractors, and their employees and sub-contractors are ineligible to apply."

This particular project is through the Buffalo Bills Public Art Program, so professional artists are the main applicants. We recommend that fabricators/designers/other organizations partner with an artist to form an art team to meet eligibility criteria and show a diverse portfolio of work and letter of interest explanation for the Selection Panel to be considered.

What are your expectations for teams of artists? If the team includes an artist, architect, engineer and others, do you want qualifications from only the artist or all team members?

Please submit your application as a team and list all members. CallForEntry.org has an option for team applications. Note that the resume upload only allows for one document, so you may need a multi-page pdf to include each member's resumes/CV. Include additional information about your team, experience and process in your letter of interest if needed.

What are weight limitations and size requirements for the art locations?

Structural provisions, project specifications and requirements are included within each RFQ/RFP.

During the RFP phase artists/art teams will have the opportunity to ask the Stadium architects/build team additional questions about additional structural requirements.

Who are the arts consultants on this project and what do they do?

The Buffalo Bills have contracted an arts consultant to work closely with the Bills' stadium team, stakeholders, and artists to help guide the arts program with best practices and efficiency through the process.

What does "design-build" mean?

Design–build refers to design and construction services that are contracted by a single entity and used to minimize risks for the project owner and to reduce the delivery schedule by overlapping the design phase and construction phase of a project.

Who are the "stakeholders"?

A stakeholder is a person, group or organization that has a vested interest, concern in an organization, can affect and be affected by the organization action, objectives and policies. They are parties with the most direct interest of stake in business decisions.

Where can I find more details about the Stadium project and process?

Review open Calls for Artists here.

For more news on Highmark Stadium visit here.

View stadium experience information here.

I have questions about Art at Highmark Stadium, who do I contact?

Any questions and inquiries email stadiumpublicart@gmail.com

Contact: Holly Hayden, Public Arts Consultant and Artist Liaison

Buffalo Bills Public Art Program at Highmark Stadium