Music is Art: A Community Festival Celebrating Buffalo's Music Scene

Music is Art Festival has become one of Buffalo's signature annual events, bringing together the region's diverse music community for a celebration that extends far beyond a single day of performances. Founded by Robby Takac of the Goo Goo Dolls and established as a federal 501(c)(3) not-for-profit in 2003, Music is Art operates with a mission to create opportunities that fuel the unifying power of music in the Buffalo region.

The 24th annual Music is Art Festival takes place on September 20, 2026, in downtown Buffalo. The event serves as a platform where local bands, musicians, DJs, displaying artists, dancers, vendors, non-profits, and food trucks come together to celebrate the region's creative community. The festival explicitly welcomes participation from the community at large, featuring kids activities and family-friendly programming alongside performances from established and emerging artists.

Beyond the Festival: Year-Round Community Service

While the annual festival serves as the organization's flagship event, Music is Art operates multiple complementary programs throughout the year. The Instrument Donation & Placement Program represents the organization's most successful initiative, having distributed over half a million dollars worth of musical instruments to students and schools demonstrating greatest need. The program accepts new and used instruments year-round (excluding pianos and organs), has them professionally assessed, repaired, and refurbished, then matches them with recipients free of charge. The organization operates on the philosophy that "if you give a child an instrument and a stage, that child will speak louder, more intelligently, and more passionately with and because of music."

The Alliance Academy provides student workshops hosted by Western New York music industry professionals, offering hands-on music exploration and collaboration opportunities. The organization also hosts The Event Formerly Known as The Battle, an open performance competition providing a stage for emerging musicians.

Values and Community Focus

Music is Art positions itself as a safe space and explicitly centers Black Lives Matter principles in its programming and organizational values. The festival emphasizes community service, accessibility, and the belief that music can serve as a unifying force in the Buffalo region. With leadership including Executive Director Tracy Fletcher and support from a board of directors, staff, sponsors, and volunteers, the organization operates through partnerships with local organizations and community leaders.

The 24th annual festival on September 20, 2026, continues Music is Art's tradition of free, accessible, community-centered celebration that welcomes participation from across the Western New York music community.