The April 2008 issue of AmericanStyle has proclaimed Buffalo as “No. 1 Arts Destination for Mid-Sized Cities” in the publication’s annual “Top 25 Arts Destinations” poll. For more than a decade, arts travelers have trusted the magazine’s annual poll to guide them to emerging arts scenes and cultural meccas.
AmericanStyle stated that Buffalo received votes from across the country touting the Queen City as “a hidden jewel” and “a well-kept secret.” The magazine cited construction of the new Burchfield-Penney Arts Center, the Albright-Knox Art Gallery, the addition of Artspace Buffalo to the scene, and a commitment to the arts from City of Buffalo Mayor Bryon Brown as reasons why Buffalo is a top-tier arts destination.
In the October, the annual AmericanStyle poll asked art lovers to nominate their favorite destinations. The Buffalo Niagara Convention & Visitors Bureau took notice and led the effort to regain the top spot as a way to dramatically aid its marketing efforts. The CVB encouraged its partners, colleagues, and professional contacts to vote for Buffalo as a top arts destination in the country.
Buffalo placed first over Scottsdale, AZ, Pittsburgh, PA, Savannah, GA, and New Orleans in the Mid-Size Cities category. Other notable mid-size cities included: Cleveland (No. 7), Atlanta (No. 8) Minneapolis (No. 10), Rochester (No. 14), Miami (No. 15) and St. Louis (No. 25). In 2007 Buffalo ranked as the No 14 destination in the mid-sized category.