Buffalo Bills Announce Public Art Program for New Stadium

BUFFALO, N.Y. — The Buffalo Bills announced today the launch of a Public Art Program at the new Highmark Stadium, scheduled to open in 2026. This initiative aims to create a permanent art presence that reflects the city’s diverse demographics and enhances engagement for both fans and visitors.

According to Penny Semaia, the Bills’ Vice President of Stadium Relations, the Public Art Program will showcase the talents of artists from Western New York while contributing to the community. “For more than 50 years, the Buffalo Bills have contributed greatly to Western New York through a variety of impactful initiatives,” she said. “This program will allow artists throughout Western New York to showcase their talents to visitors throughout the country.”

The initiative seeks to commission professional visual artists or teams to create site-specific public artwork within the stadium. This artwork will be centrally displayed and designed to engage the public. The Bills will issue three separate Calls for Artists, targeting sculptural ceiling art, murals, and wall-based artworks, which will be integrated into all stadium levels.

The Calls for Artists, which will be open from February to March 2025, will follow a transparent RFQ/RFP process to solicit applications from qualified artists. The aim is to ensure an equitable art procurement process that aligns with national best practice standards.

The Bills emphasize a local and inclusive approach, aiming for artist participation that encompasses various skill levels and budget ranges. Chosen artworks will be installed prior to the stadium’s opening, with timelines depending on the complexity of the artworks.

Holly Hayden, a public arts consultant and artist liaison for the program, will oversee the development. Having over 20 years of experience in arts and design, she highlighted the importance of collaboration between artists, architects, and stakeholders in creating a cohesive vision for the stadium’s artwork.

In addition to the public art initiative, the Bills recently released new renderings of the Highmark Stadium, showcasing details of the new design, including enhanced audio-visual capabilities, state-of-the-art seating arrangements, and improved accessibility features. The creative layout aims to provide fans with an intimate yet modern game-day experience.

Furthermore, interested fans are encouraged to join the Priority List for season ticket purchases, as this will be the only opportunity to secure seats in the new facility. For more information on the Public Art Program and upcoming events, fans can visit the Bills’ official website.