Sphere Entertainment Co. has unveiled the Sphere XO Student Design Challenge, a new initiative in collaboration with the greater Las Vegas community.
This unique challenge, developed alongside the Clark County School District (CCSD) and the University of Nevada, Las Vegas (UNLV), presents a chance for over 100,000 students in Clark County to design artwork for the Exosphere. This marks the first occasion where members of the general public, specifically students from elementary through college, have the opportunity to see their creative work showcased on this iconic structure.
The challenge is set to begin this month, centred around the theme of the 4th July, with the selected students’ art debuting on the Exosphere on July 4, 2024. This date also celebrates the first anniversary of the Exosphere’s initial illumination. Additionally, victorious students from high school and UNLV will be awarded a $10,000 educational scholarship by Sphere, while winning entries from elementary and middle school students will result in a $10,000 contribution by Sphere to their schools’ art programmes, enhancing art education in public schools. Furthermore, schools of the winning younger students will receive tickets to experience The Sphere this Fall.
Jim Dolan, Executive Chairman and CEO of Sphere Entertainment, highlights the broader implications of the challenge: “Sphere is more than a venue – it is a new entertainment medium uniting art and science to broaden our understanding of what’s possible through artistic and technological innovation. Sphere XO Student Design Challenge is an opportunity for us to engage Las Vegas students by introducing them to Sphere’s technology, and meaningfully give back to the community by inspiring its future.”
Refik Anadol, a globally acclaimed digital artist, shared his support for the initiative: “I have a deep understanding and appreciation for the determination required by young artists who hope to break into the art world – this is an excellent opportunity to showcase their work to a global audience. I am honoured to participate and support these students at the beginning of their journey toward what I hope will be productive careers in the arts.”
Nancy Uscher, Dean of UNLV College of Fine Arts, emphasised the importance of integrating art with technology: “The intersection of art and technology is a consistent throughline in our curriculum and a crucial priority for students pursuing careers in these rapidly evolving industries. Sphere serves as a real-world example of innovation in art, and we’re thrilled that our student body has the chance to become active participants in this cultural achievement.”
Dr. Brenda Larsen-Mitchell, Interim Superintendent of Schools, Clark County School District, highlighted the critical role of arts education: “Arts education in public schools is more vital than ever. We are fortunate to not only have this next-generation canvas in Las Vegas but also to have Sphere’s commitment to using it in support of the local community. With Sphere’s XO Student Design Challenge, our students get to explore innovation through art via hands-on learning.”
The Sphere XO Student Design Challenge involves a meticulous design and selection process, starting with a wide invitation to participate across various grade levels within the Clark County School District and extending to UNLV students. Following a thorough digitisation and public voting process, a total of eight winners will be selected to have their artwork featured on the Exosphere, celebrating their creativity on a global stage. This initiative not only showcases young talent but also integrates the Las Vegas community into the pioneering spirit of Sphere, marking a significant moment in the intersection of art, technology, and education.
High school/college students will be provided with a VR headset and custom design tools developed by the Sphere team, including a digital creator app, to aid in the creation of their art.
For more details, please visit thesphere.com/xo-student-design-challenge.
Since the Exosphere was first illuminated on July 4, 2023, it has captured worldwide attention for its impactful visuals. The largest LED screen on Earth, the Exosphere consists of approximately 1.2 million LED pucks, spaced eight inches apart. Each puck contains 48 individual LED diodes, with each diode capable of displaying more than 1 billion different colours – creating a vivid landmark on the Las Vegas skyline.
