The US Bank Stadium – the new home of the Minnesota Vikings currently under construction in Minneapolis, US – is set to boast an art collection to rival some museums.
As part of a partnership deal agreed with Sports & The Arts (SATA), the collection at the stadium will encompass more than 500 original artworks, including photography, and showcase the history of Vikings and Minnesota sports.
Selected from nearly 1,100 submissions, the artists range in expertise from Minneapolis College of Art & Design (MCAD) students to professionals with past works acquired by the Walker Art Center and Getty Museum.
Vikings owner and president Mark Wilf said: “Funding this collection of art from Minnesotans is another way to connect with the community in a very unique way that not only Vikings fans, but all stadium users, can enjoy.
“The partnership also continues the theme of utilising Minnesota companies and individuals throughout the design and construction of U.S. Bank Stadium.”
Expected to open in time for the 2016-17 NFL season, the US$1bn (€733.9m, £594.7m) Vikings Stadium has been designed by Texas-based architects HKS, along with a Vikings Stadium Consortium made up of Studio Hive, Studio Five & Lawal Scott Erickson Architects.
The 65,000-capacity stadium is to be the first NFL venue with a fixed roof since the Detroit Lions opened Ford Field in 2002.
The venue will have a translucent roof and movable front windows, allowing natural light to enter the stadium, as well as giving fans a view of downtown Minneapolis.
HKS has also incorporated features to enable the stadium to experience some of the outdoor elements, while providing protection from the snow, rain and cold weather that can often plague NFL games in the winter.
An expandable seating plan will allow the venue to be turned into a 73,000-capacity space to cater for large-scale events, such as the Super Bowl or the Final Four.
The possibility of making the field larger has also been discussed, as this would potentially allow the venue to host domestic football games, international friendlies and maybe even attract a Major League Soccer (MLS) team.
To see some of the artwork which will be on display,
click here.
