RFQ: Ceiling-based/hanging artwork at New Highmark Stadium

Project

The Buffalo Bills Art Program seeks to commission a professional visual artist(s), or artist team, to create site-specific ceiling-based/hanging/suspended artwork(s) to be placed in 2 different locations in (new) Highmark Stadium. One artist/artist team will be selected for each location. This artwork will be thematic, public-facing, and part of the permanent collection at the Stadium.

About the Buffalo Bills Public Art Program & General Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) are located at https://www.buffalobills.com/new-stadium/public-art-program

Public Art Program Intent and Goals

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

Through an open Call for Artists Request for Qualifications (RFQ) /  Request for Proposals (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 be seeking sculptural ceiling art, murals, and wall-based artworks of various sizes and budgets to be curated on multiple levels of the Stadium.

The public art at Highmark Stadium should reflect the city’s diverse demographics, team and fan engagement, and be welcoming to travelers of all backgrounds to experience artwork in an inclusive environment. Arts and sports are universal languages that allow people to express themselves and connect with others across communities, cultures, and generations.

About the Buffalo Bills Public Art Program & General Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) are located at https://www.buffalobills.com/new-stadium/public-art-program

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.

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RFQ (Request for Qualifications)

Commission Description: Ceiling-based artworks

The Buffalo Bills Art Program seeks to commission a professional visual artist(s), or artist team, to create site-specific ceiling-based/hanging/suspended artwork(s) to be placed in 2 different locations in New Highmark Stadium. One artist/artist team will be selected for each location. This artwork will be thematic, public-facing, and part of the permanent collection at the Stadium. Ceiling-based/ suspended/hanging artworks may include (but not limited to) sculptural artworks, mixed-media or assemblage, illuminated artwork utilizing electricity or digital components, relief or ceiling-mounted sculptural works.

 Artwork will be located in public spaces, in pedestrian circulation areas throughout the stadium. To avoid interference with the adjacent seating, concessions, monitors, wayfinding, and ADA regulations, the site for these pieces is a zone overhead – above person-reaching height.  As pieces will be within the public space, artwork should be designed to withstand weather, temperature fluctuations, occasional contact from the general public or maintenance staff. Hang-ready artwork with durable materials will need to be engineered to follow site specifications and safety regulations.

The use of archival materials is required, as installation will be exposed to natural light through perimeter glazing, weather, temperature changes, air circulation, potential dust and debris, and high-traffic from visitors and fans. Installation shall follow weight limitations and not interfere with functional lighting requirements or life safety components within the space.

Keep in mind, legacy, longevity, and appropriateness for the site.

RPP (Request for Proposals) Phase, for semi-finalists only:

If you are shortlisted as a semi-finalist, in your application, please include a proposal for new artwork, rendering images and description, materials and budget breakdown. Your proposal may include a single artwork or multiple artworks as a cohesive group.

The total artwork area may not exceed specs in RFP.

Theme

Artwork themes should welcome visitors and locals to New Highmark Stadium. The artwork imagery should embody a moment(s) in Buffalo Bills football history, “about” Buffalo NY, local landmarks, fan engagement, traditions, and/or other meaningful representations. These representations can be realistic or abstract.

About the Location(s): Stairwell/Escalators, overhead area(s) see attached images

Location 1: 300 Level Concourse, Vertical Circulation

Location 2: East Club, Vertical Circulation

One artist/artist team will be selected for each location.

The Concourses are attendees’ first and last impression of New Highmark Stadium. Central circulation of artwork areas may be flanked by seating areas, concessions, TV monitors, wayfinding, and sponsor signage. A high roof over the circulation space is designed with glazing or architectural details bringing natural light into the concourses and suites. The primary finishes in the space range from CMU block, acoustic tile to painted finishes, cement flooring, carpet in suite levels, and various wall coverings.

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Buffalo Bills Background
The Buffalo Bills are a professional American football team based in the Buffalo-Niagara Falls metropolitan area. The Bills compete in the National Football League (NFL) as a member club of the league’s American Football Conference (AFC) East division. Founded in 1959 as a charter member of the American Football League (AFL), the Bills joined the NFL in 1970 following the AFL-NFL merger. The franchise is owned by Terry and Kim Pegula, who purchased the Bills after the death of original owner Ralph Wilson in 2014. 

The Bills won consecutive AFL Championships in 1964 and 1965. The Bills appeared in four consecutive Super Bowls from 1990 to 1993. The Bills have a current streak of five consecutive playoff appearances.

Buffalo Bills New Highmark Stadium Project Description

New Highmark Stadium is an American football stadium under construction in Orchard Park, New York. It will replace the Bills’ existing stadium of the same name and is expected to open in time for the 2026 NFL season. The 62,000-seat stadium is being designed by Populous, a group that has designed twelve other active NFL stadiums.

The project includes a new 1.35 million GSF open-air stadium, 18,750 SF ancillary building, demolition of the current stadium, and related site development. The stadium’s capacity will be a minimum of 60,000 seats with an expandable capacity to hold special events. Premium areas will include suites, ledge seats, clubs, and other premium seating products.

The stadium will include state-of-the-art video and scoreboards, sound system, administrative and event staff offices and lockers, broadcast facilities, team store, locker rooms, food service kitchens and concessions, signage, sports lighting, maintenance, and storage areas, plaza, parking, and site landscaping.’

The groundbreaking for the stadium occurred in June 2023.

The Buffalo Bills Art Program at New Highmark Stadium will include multiple Calls for Art of various sizes and budgets for newly commissioned artworks. The first artwork to be commissioned was the American Bison sculptures.

Delivering a World-Class Stadium for the Buffalo Bills

The Bills, in conjunction with Legends, and stadium architectural firm, Populous, have left no stone unturned in evaluating every innovative element of new stadium design. The stadium exterior highlights a visual identity that reflects some of the historical architecture of Buffalo, while also delivering a modern appearance.

 About New Highmark Stadium Project: Watch https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLSxvJZzVZ55AfEHebuMHwW6HbS0O04dYz

 New Highmark Stadium will foster culture of:

• Belonging: a culture of Bills fans, where they can be together as a community

• Pride: a culture that lives and breathes for the Bills

• Generosity: a culture that finds a place in their hearts to be generous

• Honor: a culture that knows how to honor those that have graced the uniform and those who cheer the loudest

• Respect: a culture that respects the grounds built for them 

It's also a place to call home through:

• Football: the place where every football fan wants to be, and the place where every visiting team hates to play

• Functionality: the place where no one notices the things that make it function well

• Comfort: the place where it feels warm and safe; safe for families

• Thoughtfulness: the place every other NFL franchise will say, ‘Wow, they thought of everything,”

• Experience: the place where fans experience the loudest, vibrant, toughest, ground shaking Bills football

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Budget

The Buffalo Bills Public Art Program commission locations and budgets are as follows:

Location 1: 300 Level Concourse, Vertical Circulation, up to $250,000, all inclusive 

Location 2: East Club, Vertical Circulation, up to $200,000, all inclusive 

Budget includes, but is not limited to, semifinalist stipends, design fees, travel, mileage, per diem, engineering, fabrication, supplies, material costs, meeting and administration hours, labor, artist fees, legal review fees, approval by a New York-licensed engineer, permits, licenses, additional power/electrical/data to site, lighting, programming, contingency, equipment rental, delivery/shipping, documentation, installation, usage & licensing.

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RFQ Application Materials

Artist Statement/Team Bio

• Introduce yourself &/or your team

 Letter of Interest, up to 1-page

• Clearly describe your interest in the project and how you/your team will be able to contribute to its success.

• Explain how your art practice is connected to the Buffalo Bills, Orchard Park, or Western NY.

• Articulate your interest and/or experience in public art design, fabrication &/or project collaboration.

• Summarize your experience in developing and/or executing creative projects of this scope in the public realm at stadiums, Buffalo NY (if applicable), public buildings, and beyond (i.e. site-specific art installations, interactive and participatory artworks, multimedia projects, creative placemaking events, festivals, etc.).

• Tell us which artwork area you are interested in for a potential proposal.

Resume/CV (for each team member)

• Artist’s Experience: list your professional experience including any commissions,

residencies, touring, exhibitions, collaborations, and projects involving the community and

work in the public sector.

• Education: list your educational background and training

• Experience working with organizations, institutions, developers, locally and beyond

References

• 3 professional references

Images, video, audio or multi-media

A relevant body of work that demonstrates conceptual, aesthetic, and technical mastery

in at least one artistic medium. Attach up to 10 .pdf or jpg. images &/or links to audio and/or video files.

• Include descriptions within your uploaded portfolio images and/or an Image list with title date/year, materials, size, and budget.

RFP Submission Materials (for semifinalists only)

• Introduction: About the Artist and Artists team, fabricators and any support staff (if CVs have changed from RFQ phase, please provided)

• Project Budget breakdown: artists fees, materials/supplies, fabrication, labor, equipment rental, delivery, contingency, installation

• Timeline: include milestones for supply ordering, fabrication phases, potential site visits, delivery, installation.

• Artwork Proposal: include drawings, sketches, renderings, maquettes, 3-D examples as visuals for the artwork, written description of project processes, materials & vision.

• Maintenance Plan: include an overall maintenance plan and overview of durable materials used – include coordinating with weather, cleaning schedule, and safety.

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Evaluation Criteria

The Selection Panel will use the following evaluation criteria to select an artist or artist team:

• Excellence: Works of art in the artist's portfolio and proposal are original, innovative, of exceptional quality and enduring value.

• Relevant prior experience: The artist has created projects of a similar scale and budget and has experience coordinating with multiple stakeholders; or, is jointly submitting the qualifications of a collaborator that has created such projects and that has such experience.

• Appropriateness to site and project: Works of art in the portfolio and proposal indicate that the artist is likely to be sensitive to the subject matter, social, economic, cultural, historical and physical context of the site and the surrounding neighborhood, either existing or planned.

• Durability: Works of art in the artist's portfolio and proposal utilize materials and processes likely to contribute to the longevity of public works of art, especially for projects that will be located outdoors or subject to weather/temperature changes or is willing to adopt such practices by collaborating with a partner with relevant specialized expertise.

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Selection Process

The Buffalo Bills Art Program at New Highmark Stadium team will review applications for pre-qualification. Then, one or more selection panels will convene to evaluate the qualified submissions. Selection panels are comprised of arts professionals, project stakeholders, and community members.

Up to 3-5 semi-finalists will be selected, provided additional site information, images, and paid a $2,500 stipend to develop a proposal (RFP). The semifinalist artist/artist teams will present their proposal directly to the selection panel (via virtual link). The selection panel will review the semi-finalist proposals, budget plan, and qualifications (images of work, resume/CV, letter of interest, references), and select one or more artist(s)/artist teams, and one alternate. The selected artist/artist team's proposal will be approved by the Selection Panel and Project Stakeholders prior to development of a contract. All contracts may be subject to approval by Buffalo Bills ownership.

For stipend payments, artists/artist teams will be required to fill out a W-9 form and invoice once proposal documents have been received and presentations scheduled.

Semi-finalist and finalist artists seeking assistance with project contract requirements should contact https://www.buffalobillsnewstadium.com/the-resource-center

Contract

Selected artists will be required to sign a contract outlining expectations, timelines, legal and project requirements for creating art at the New Highmark Stadium.

For questions outside of the Buffalo Bills Art Program scope of services, artists may be referred to other resources. Buffalo Bills employees and/or contractors are not authorized to give legal advice to artists. Semi-finalist and finalist artists may find it advantageous to consult with an attorney while discussing contract terms with Buffalo Bills Highmark Stadium.

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Submission Materials Deadline

Please submit your application materials via this CaFE by no later than Monday, March 24, 2025 by 11:59 p.m. MST.Submissions received after this deadline will not be considered. The Public Art Administrator reserves the right to conduct on-site or telephone interviews to clarify submission materials as needed.

Questions and Answers

Questions related to this project should be sent to stadiumpublicart@gmail.com no later than March 10, 2025.

Q&A ADDENDUM SHEET HERE from 03/13/25: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1UKpQ7wfpxtUxGHhndGyKa0PTkR8OMGqC/view?usp=sharing

About the Buffalo Bills Public Art Program & General Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) are located a thttps://www.buffalobills.com/new-stadium/public-art-program

Artist Information Sessions

Artist Information Sessions will cover the RFQ/P specifics, project details, how to apply and offer a Q&A with project staff. Infosessions are free, open to the public and will be offered via videoconference link. More details on how to attend and signup link to follow.

These sessions will be recorded for later review. Questions and answers resulting from these sessions will be added to this RFQ as an FAQ Addendum.

For more information visit https://www.buffalobills.com/new-stadium/public-art-program

Sign up on our mailing list here to receive emails about the public art program.

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Tentative Schedule: RFQ Ceiling-based artwork

RFQ Issued: February 18, 2025

Artist Information Session: 

Thursday March 13, 2025. 11am EST

This Info-session will be virtual/online only. 

If you can't join live, don't worry! This session will be recorded and posted online for review.

Note: we will not be reviewing portfolios or individual application materials during this info-session. All applications must be received through CallforEntry.org to be considered.

WATCH RECORDED INFO SESSION HERE: https://youtu.be/kIU35o0hEWs?si=-FNHGrdueIrkRVgh

RFQ Questions due to stadiumpublicart@gmail.com by March 10, 2025

Answers to questions issued by addendum to RFQ: posted by March 14, 2025

RFQ Applications DUE via CallForEntry.org: March 24, 2025 11:59pm MST NOTE: DUE DATE UPDATED TO MARCH 28, 2025

Semifinalists notified early April 2025

RFP Phase: April 2025 UPDATED to MAY 2025

Semi-finalist present proposals virtually to Selection Panel: TBD April 29-30, 2025 UPDATED to JUNE 2025

Finalists notified: by May 2025, UPDATED to JUNE 2025

Contracting: May-June 2025, UPDATED to JUNE/JULY 2025

Coordination, Fabrication: Q2 2025-Q2 2026

Installation can begin onsite: Feb/March 2026

Artwork installation completed no later than: June 1, 2026

Stadium Opens: September 2026

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For RFQ/RFP inquiries contact:

Holly Hayden

Public Arts Consultant & Artist Liaison

stadiumpublicart@gmail.com

Buffalo Bills Public Art Program at New Highmark Stadium

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 of 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.

UPDATE: Artists from outside the United States may be considered based on the connection to Buffalo or Western NY. Please notate to the Selection Panel in your Letter of Interest.

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

Full-time employees of Buffalo Bills, LLC, Bills Stadium & Events Company, LLC, Legends Hospitality, LLC, 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.