A new report reveals arts groups funded by the City of San Diego return a big economic dividend. The arts commission report shows these organizations generate more than $181 million in salaries and other expenditures.
About 75 arts groups in San Diego get financial support from a special tax on hotel rooms.
Besides generating money for salaries and other services, the arts attract lots of tourists to the area, according to the report.
San Diego Mayor Jerry Sanders said nearly 1.5 million visitors came to town last year for arts and cultural events.
"All of those visitors spent money, pumping some three-quarters of a billion dollars into the local economy," Sanders said. "By these measures, San Diego's a true national powerhouse when it comes to arts and culture."
San Diego's reputation as an arts center is growing, Sanders said. The musical Memphis, which debuted in San Diego, just won four Tony awards.
