Since moving into Golden 1 Center, the Sacramento Kings have been hard at work to make the new arena feel like home both inside and out. With the role being described as “Bigger Than Basketball” by Kings Owner and Chairman Vivek Ranadivé, the Kings have focused on promoting the arts, culture, and education.
With a strong commitment to display art publicly, Golden 1 Center has quickly become the home of the largest contribution of public art in Sacramento history. The most renowned piece of the collection is the world’s first publicly-owned, permanently-displayed sculpture by Jeff Koons, called Coloring Book #4. The outside of the arena also boasts four additional works, including a sound sculpture of 34 small loudspeakers distributed around the plaza by world-renowned artist Bill Fontana. Golden 1 Center has also dedicated its two custom 25-foot LED screens to display digital works from local artists, including pieces created by local college students.
To celebrate the end of the season and thank fans for their support in making the first season in Golden 1 Center a success, the Kings launched a new fan experience and engagement opportunity – Photo in the Plaza. Photo in the Plaza allowed fans to submit their favorite game photos through the Kings + Golden 1 Center app to be displayed on the 25-foot LED screens upon their arrival to the arena.
In an effort to welcome the people of Sacramento to the new arena, the Sacramento Kings have paired with Downtown Commons to host “Long Lunch Fridays” on the Golden 1 Center Plaza. Featuring food trucks, live music, and the occasional craft fair, Long Lunch Fridays are a great way for the people of Sacramento to come together and enjoy the artwork around the arena, eat some delicious food, and interact with one another.
Lastly, in keeping with the “Bigger Than Basketball” theme, part of the arena development project was invested in 1.5 million square feet of mixed-use property that will have a hotel, restaurants, retail stores, offices, and condos to revitalize the surrounding areas near the new arena. The goal is to provide the people of Sacramento a destination spot to hangout, see a game or concert, and spend time with family and friends – all while enjoying the unique opportunities California’s capital city has to offer.