Texans a model franchise in art show

Editors' note: This story is revised from the print edition.

Are the Houston Texans art?

Maybe football cognoscenti wouldn't say so after the club's inaugural 4-12 season, but the Houston Museum of Fine Arts will. The cultural institution has scheduled to open Sept. 21 an 85-photograph exhibit chronicling the team's first season.

"It is not a traditional extension of a football team," said Jamey Rootes, the Texans' chief marketing officer. The exhibit will be presented by Texans sponsor Siemens.

The art exhibit is one of two new initiatives the marketing-savvy Texans have planned so far to reach out to new fans this year. The Texans also will aggressively promote their Aug. 17 practice to the Hispanic community, and then follow that up with a party outside Reliant Stadium. The day is dubbed Football Fiesta and will include live bands, player autographs and stadium tours, and will be presented by Miller Lite in conjunction with Univision and the Hispanic Broadcasting Corp.

The museum idea was hatched by Texans owner Bob McNair, who sits on its board of directors, and the institution's director, Peter Marzio. The exhibit, which will run through February 2004 so visitors to Houston during the Super Bowl can view it, also will include a 224-page book.

During the Texans' bye week in early October, the team will host another party outside the museum.