Arts and culture funding

IATSE Local 122 rep urged a yes vote on the arts restoration plan, calling arts funding an investment in working families, not an expense.

The Old Globe's director thanked the council and urged adoption of the arts restoration, noting unprecedented sector solidarity.

San Diego Pride's executive director described learning $12 million in arts funding was eliminated and urged restoration, calling arts the heart of San Diego.

Of Arts and Culture San Diego, she asked the Council to keep arts funding flat given the deficit, warning an entire economic ecosystem won't come back if cut.

Executive director of San Diego Art Matters, he called the elimination a dismantling of a 35-year public investment supporting nearly 200 organizations.

Executive director of Mingei International Museum and Balboa Park Cultural Partnership chair, she implored full restoration, noting the sector consistently meets city performance benchmarks.

San Diego Opera's general director expressed outrage that new TOT revenue was found but not a single cent restored for arts, warning of the political legacy of elimination.

A Commission for Arts and Culture member said nearly 90% of the cultural affairs budget was wiped out and the commission was never consulted; he urged the Council to restore funding.

The Old Globe's head urged full — not partial — restoration of arts funding, describing free community programs serving 30,000 San Diegans in every district.

A La Jolla Playhouse employee who argued TOT funds should be reinvested in arts, citing $35 million in tax revenue generated and free programming for vulnerable populations.

San Diego Art Matters director called the cut 'nearly a complete elimination' of city arts investment and urged restoration.

San Diego Opera's general director implored the council to reject the elimination, citing $1.2 billion in direct arts economic activity and a prior council pledge that arts cuts were off the table.

San Diego Arts Commission chair said zeroing out grants was 'a kick in the gut,' noting the sector generates $1.2 billion and 170,000 jobs.

Arts and Culture San Diego rep said the $11.8M cut represents all city arts grants and small organizations may fold permanently.