Great news to share!
On Monday, October 8 the proposal for A Penny for the Arts was unanimously approved by San Diego City Council’s Economic Development and Strategies Committee! Councilmembers Emerald, Faulconer, Lightner and Zapf all voiced their support to restore arts and culture funding from the City of San Diego to a full penny of the TOT revenue from every dollar spent by tourists at city hotels.
What’s next?
The next step is approval from the full City Council, which will put the five-year, A Penny for the Arts plan into effect. We are now one critical step closer to achieving the four key recommendations in the plan:
1. Restore Funding to the Organizational Support (OSP) and Creative Communities San Diego (CCSD) Allocation Programs.
2. Re-establish the Arts and Culture Festival Revolving Fund with an immediate focus on the 2015 Celebration, including Celebration planning, exhibitions and performances.
3. Support Special Projects and Initiatives:
- Allocate funds for restoration and improvements of cultural facilities throughout the City. This is not limited to City-owned property!
- Invest in cultural tourism marketing initiatives and partnerships
4. Contribute annual allocations to the Public Art Fund:
- New public artworks and improved access to the City’s public art collection
- Funds to maintain and restore current collection
ACTION REQUESTED BY FRIDAY, OCTOBER 19
The next City Council meeting takes place on Monday, October 22nd, and the Commission is on the agenda to make the case for A Penny for the Arts.
Before Friday, October 19, the most effective and strategic way you can assist is to email or call the Council members and express your support – particularly those who did not already vote in the October 8 committee meeting. In your communication with Council members, please reinforce that recipients of the Organizational Support Program serve constituents in every district of San Diego. Please let these Council members know if you serve schools or students in their district!
Click here for a letter template.
Below please find the contact information for all City Council members.
PRIORITY: Contact these Council members who have NOT yet weighed in:
District 4: Council President Tony Young: (619) 236-6644; anthonyyoung@sandiego.gov
District 3: Councilmember Todd Gloria: (619) 236-6633; toddgloria@sandiego.gov
District 5: Councilmember Carl DeMaio: (619) 236-6655; carldemaio@sandiego.gov
District 8: Councilmember David Alvarez: (619) 236-6688; davidalvarez@sandiego.gov
Contact and thank these Council members for supporting A Penny for the Arts at the Oct. 8 meeting and ask for their continued support:
District 1: Councilmember Sherri S. Lightner: (619) 236-6611; sherrilightner@sandiego.gov
District 2: Council President Pro Tem Kevin Faulconer: (619) 236-6622; kevinfaulconer@sandiego.gov
District 6: Councilmember Lorie Zapf: (619) 236-6616; loriezapf@sandiego.gov
District 7: Councilmember Marti Emerald: (619) 236-6677; martiemerald@sandiego.gov
We need you there!
Please plan to attend the October 22nd meeting to show your support. The number of arts supporters in the audience will make a difference! The meeting will begin at 2:00pm at City Hall: 202 C Street, San Diego, CA 92101.
The support of each and every one of you, your colleagues, Board members, volunteers and friends is CRUCIAL to ensuring that arts and culture funding is restored to San Diego. Be a part of history by taking action now!
Every Arts Group Benefits When You Support A Penny for the Arts!
Sincerely,
San Diego Regional Arts and Cultural Coalition
Seema Sueko and Alan Ziter, Co-Chairs
