Report: Local Arts Community Healthy and Strong

Individual and business donations to San Diego’s arts and culture organizations increased last year. That’s one of the findings in an annual report that concludes the local arts and culture community is healthy and strong. KPBS reporter Ana Tintocalis has more.        

The City of San Diego subsidizes 86 arts and culture groups. The organizations range from museums and theaters to grassroots dance and art venues. The report shows individuals donated $24 million to the non-profit groups last year, up from $23 million the year before. And businesses donated $5 million, an increase of $1 million from last year. Dalouge Smith is president of the San Diego Youth Symphony. He says there are two reasons why arts and culture are growing.

Smith: People choosing San Diego as a place to make their art. We’re seeing a higher number of highly educated people come to San Diego. Their presence is continuing to help our arts and culture community grow.

The report also finds the non-profits sold 2.8 million tickets to patrons last year. Ana Tintocalis, KPBS News.