The arts play a vital role in creating social cohesion, economic opportunities, and a sense of belonging in San Diego. However, the arts community faces significant challenges, including unequal access to arts education, underfunded community-level organizations, and difficulty in rebuilding audiences post-COVID. Additionally, many local artists and nonprofit workers struggle with the high cost of living, making it hard for arts organizations to retain skilled staff and promote local talent.
The Prebys Foundation’s goal is to ensure that art is engaging, exciting, and accessible to everyone in the community. This means supporting arts education and programs that reach all neighborhoods, particularly underserved areas, and celebrating emerging and underrepresented artists. The foundation also aims to increase public engagement and funding for inclusive, innovative artwork and artists.
Our approach includes:
- Expanding creative youth development by integrating arts into youth programs to foster skills, relationships, and a sense of purpose.
- Reviving public support for the arts by diversifying audiences, artists, and art forms, with a focus on underserved communities. This includes increasing public funding and engagement across San Diego.
- Nurturing a dynamic environment for local artists by supporting neighborhood-based creative initiatives and promoting emerging, underrepresented artists.
Access to the arts in San Diego is sharply divided by race and class. Funding tends to go wealthier neighborhoods and relatively few county students participate in arts programs at school. Indigenous and military communities also face barriers, such as cost, transportation, and lack of representation in local art. The foundation is committed addressing these and other disparities in order to make the arts more inclusive and reflective of all San Diegans.
