SAN DIEGO–The City of San Diego Commission for Arts and Culture released its 2017 Economic and Social Impact of the City’s Investment in Nonprofit Arts and Culture Organizations report.
The report highlights the powerful impact arts and culture programs have on the City, neighborhoods and youth, with contracted organizations serving more than five million people in Fiscal Year 2017.
With $217 million in expenditures, the report provides evidence that arts and culture nonprofits are instrumental in advancing economic growth, revitalization and public engagement throughout San Diego’s neighborhoods. The report found 134 arts and culture nonprofits received over $11.8 million in contracts from the City of San Diego Commission for Arts and Culture to help employ a workforce of more than 6,419, supported by 12,335 volunteers. Through this investment, 42,054 hours were spent by contracted nonprofits to provide first-hand opportunities for youth to experience the arts, as well as organize 58 neighborhood parades and festivals to enhance civic life.
“The influence of San Diego’s arts and culture community continues to grow every year with world-class performances and exhibits that pump millions annually into our regional economy,” said Mayor Kevin L. Faulconer. “As one of the country’s top cultural destinations, San Diego benefits with more good-paying jobs for artists and more revenue to the city to fund neighborhood services while enriching the lives of those who experience all that the arts have to offer.”
The report notes economic activity created by cultural tourists is particularly important to the City. Over 3.8 million yearly tourists stay longer than the average visitor to participate in arts and cultural activities. These visitors spend additional money that directly supports the San Diego economy, including hotel accommodations, which contribute to Transient Occupancy Tax revenue. This revenue helps build libraries, support park and beach maintenance projects and other important City services.
“The arts are not only vital to San Diego’s quality of life, but they are also significant to our economy by expanding our creative and innovative workforce, creating ancillary business opportunities and generating local taxes,” said the Commission for Arts and Culture’s Acting Executive Director Christine E. Jones. “This report demonstrates that San Diego is a city where our arts and culture resources advance creative capital, connection and economic activity.”
The City of San Diego Commission for Arts and Culture serves in an advisory capacity to the Mayor and City Council on promoting, encouraging and increasing support for the region’s artistic and cultural assets, integrating arts and culture into community life and showcasing San Diego as an international tourist destination.
Additional information is available at www.sandiego.gov/arts-culture.
