In a move that will bring arts and culture programs to every area of San Diego County including diverse and underserved communities, on May 6th, the Board of Supervisors approved up to $2.75 million in total funding, with $2.25 million in ongoing annual investments, to launch and sustain everything from an artist grant program, to investments in the Black Arts and Culture District, to an artist space grant program and a binational creative economy investment and artist in residence program.
The proposal titled “Investing in Arts, Culture, and Creative Opportunity for All,” was authored by Board Chair Terra Lawson-Remer and Board Vice Chair Monica Montgomery Steppe.
“Diversity makes the art world go round in San Diego County and that is what the goal of this program is,” said Board Chair Terra Lawson-Remer. “This is an historic investment in the arts and a big boost to our creative economy.”
San Diego County’s arts and culture ecosystem is at a critical moment. After several years of significant disruption and recovery, it is now facing a federal government that is pulling back from its long-standing support for the arts, contributing to a broader contraction in public investment.
Key components of the proposed initiative include:
- Artist Grant Program ($1 million annually): Direct, low-barrier funding for individual artists, prioritizing underserved communities and supporting both emerging and established creatives.
- Artist-in-Residence Program ($250,000 annually): Placement of local artists within County departments to address public challenges through creative, community-informed approaches.
- Artist Space Grant Program ($500,000 annually): Expanding access to affordable creative spaces and activating County-owned properties for public arts programming.
- Binational Creative Economy Investment ($250,000 annually): Strengthening cross-border arts and cultural collaboration in the San Diego–Baja California region.
- Arts and Cultural District Designation Program: Formal recognition and support for culturally rich areas across the County, with a focus on historically underfunded communities.
- Black Arts and Culture District Investment ($500,000 one-time): Supporting infrastructure, programming, and economic development in a key cultural hub.
The initiative also includes efforts to leverage philanthropic partnerships, advocate for expanded arts funding, and establish the County as a designated Local Arts Agency through the California Arts Council.
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