Press Release: BID seeks artists and sponsors for return of popular Downtown is Pawsome public art project
The Downtown Albany Business Improvement District (BID) is thrilled to announce a call for artists for the third round of the Downtown is Pawsome public art series. This free outdoor placemaking project, located in the core of Albany, will feature ten 36-inch tall sculptures in the image of Albany's iconic canine mascot, Nipper the Dog. Artist applications, which can be downloaded here, are due by the end of the day on May 16.
The ten new canine sculptures will be placed in highly visible outdoor locations throughout downtown Albany's business and entertainment corridors from July to October 2025.
We invite artists, educational institutions, and community groups to submit proposals for the Downtown is Pawsome public art series. Artists of all ages are encouraged to apply, and there is no application fee.
Additionally, the BID is seeking sponsors for the individual canine statues. Sponsors will receive exclusive benefits, including the Right of First Refusal to purchase the unique artwork at the end of the exhibit. Other benefits include the sponsor's name on the sculpture, complimentary tickets to the exhibit launch for Downtown is Pawsome, and recognition on social media, our website, and printed materials. Additional details on sponsorship opportunities can be downloaded here.
"Public art is an essential part of downtown Albany's fabric. Since 2017, Nipper has become the unofficial mascot of Albany, which is why we are excited to revive this series and reintroduce a beloved attraction in the core of Albany. The program engages visitors from across the region and brings joy to everyone who experiences it. We can’t wait to select another cohort of talented artists to bring to life this vibrant, one-of-a-kind exhibit," said Georgette Steffens, Executive Director of the Downtown Albany BID.
The BID initially launched 20 Downtown is Pawsome sculptures in the summer of 2017. The Nipper design resonated strongly with both artists and the public, resulting in nearly 90 applications for the project's open call for artists. The sculptures quickly gained popularity as local attractions and selfie spots for residents and visitors alike, prompting the commissioning of another round of Nippers in 2019. Some statues remain on display throughout the District during the warmer months.
Notable recipients of the statues include RCA Records, City of Albany Mayor Kathy Sheehan, and the family of the late Harris Sanders, the Capital Region architect who introduced the iconic Nipper to the Albany skyline in the Warehouse District more than 60 years ago.
"As a proud owner of one of the original Downtown is Pawsome statues, I can attest to the popularity of this program. The sculptures will enhance our public spaces and attract many visitors to our Capital City, just as they have in the past. With the Governor's announcement of a $400 million investment in Downtown, the return of Alive @ Five to the area, and the CrossFit Games at MVP Arena, the timing for this beautiful and unique sculpture series could not be better," said Mayor Kathy Sheehan.
Nipper, a beloved mixed-breed terrier who lived in Bristol, England, in the late 1800s, was immortalized in the 1898 oil painting “His Master’s Voice” by Francis Barraud. He became a well-known mascot for the RCA Recording Company throughout the 20th century, most recognizable to locals via the 28-foot, four-ton statue that watches over the Capital City from a perch atop the former RCA distribution warehouse at the corner of Broadway and Tivoli Street.
For more information about the artist application or sponsorship opportunities, please visit downtownalbany.org/downtownispawsome or contact Don Wilson at [email protected] or 518.465.2143 x 112.
