SACRAMENTO, CA – The Sacramento Kings announced today a new partnership with the Sacramento Metro Arts Commission (SMAC), which will result in the largest public art investment in City history.
As part of a broader strategy to promote arts and culture at the downtown entertainment and sports center (ESC), the Kings will make several commitments through SMAC’s Art in Public Places program:
· The Kings will invest approximately $5.5 million of the construction budget for the downtown entertainment and sports center (ESC) to the program.
· The Kings and SMAC have jointly appointed a nine-member Public Art Selection Panel to develop an ESC Art Plan and recommend to SMAC for the acquisition, exhibition, and maintenance of artwork, including artist selection and artwork design approval.
· The Kings will donate existing works of art located in Downtown Plaza to SMAC, including the low relief panels and tiles created by designer/architect Al Sanchez.
“Promoting arts and culture is a top priority for the Kings and our ownership group,” said Majority Owner Vivek Ranadive. “We’re proud to partner with SMAC and this incredible all-star selection panel to ensure that the ESC makes a statement about the value of public art and its vital role in defining and activating downtown Sacramento.”
“The Kings have the opportunity to make a significant artistic statement through this project,” said Shelly Willis, Executive Director of SMAC. “I’m thrilled by the possibilities, by the extraordinary selection panel who will help guide this effort, and by the Kings’ genuine passion for and commitment to the arts.”
SMAC will administer the program and oversee key activities that include artist research, outreach and selection; artwork design development; design approval; and fabrication and installation of artwork. Funds will be used both to install new public art and safely remove and transfer notable artwork currently at the site. The Kings will own the artwork and be responsible for all maintenance, conservation, and insurance costs. The nine-member Public Art Selection Panel includes:
· Lial Jones, Director, Crocker Art Museum
· Paul Jacobs, CEO, Qualcomm Incorporated
· Marcy Friedman, Artist, Art Collector and Philanthropist
· Cheryl Holben, Vice Chair, Sacramento Metropolitan Arts Commission (term as Chair begins July 1)
· Lizzetta LeFalle Collins, Writer, Art Historian and Curator
· Annabeth Rosen, Artist, Robert Arneson Endowed Chair at the University of California, Davis
· Rob Rothblatt, Arena Senior Architect, AECOM
· Rachel Teagle, Director, Richard L. Nelson Gallery at the University of California, Davis
· René de Guzman, Senior Curator of Art, Oakland Museum
Public Arts Selection Panel Biographies - Click here
Panel members were jointly appointed by the Kings and Arts Commission to ensure a committee the presented deep expertise in public art and the professional arts community. In addition, the Kings and SMAC placed strong emphasis on identifying panelists with an exceptional track record of support for local art, and specifically the diverse community of artists emerging across the Sacramento region.
“The Kings' commitment to the creative and arts community shows that this is truly bigger than basketball," said Councilmember Steve Hansen. "The heart of our arts community is at the center of the city, and it's critical that the new arena and surrounding area embrace the vision of a vibrant, active place.”
The Kings and SMAC anticipate the selection panel recommending an arts plan for the project as early as this summer or fall.
For more information, visit www.sacmetroarts.org.