Grants Aim to Safeguard Against Government Budget Cuts, Donor Fatigue and Inflation
SAN DIEGO, CA – Today the Prebys Foundation announced it is awarding 61 San Diego arts and culture organizations a combined $13.375 to protect San Diego’s vibrant arts scene from federal and state funding cuts, local budget shortfalls, donor fatigue and inflation.
The investment includes $8.625 million in unrestricted operating support for 22 organizations ranging from major cultural anchors to grassroots community arts groups. It also includes $4.75 million for venues and spaces funding to 39 organizations in order to preserve and enhance affordable, accessible places for creativity and connection.
“The arts are not a luxury. They are essential infrastructure for a thriving, equitable, and prosperous region,” said Prebys Foundation CEO Grant Oliphant. “When we invest in the arts, we invest in jobs, innovation, understanding, and the shared spaces where our community’s stories and healing come alive.”
Without immediate intervention, leaders warn, the loss of programming, partnerships, venues, and jobs could impact San Diego’s entire cultural ecosystem and economy.
“As San Diego’s last remaining independent art-house cinema, the Digital Gym Cinema is a vital cultural hub where the community can come together to experience film,” said Ethan Van Thillo, Executive Director & Founder of Media Arts Center San Diego (MACSD). “At a time when all cinemas face tremendous challenges to sustain themselves, this support allows us to expand our programming and provide more opportunities for community connection.”
The grants will also help keep the doors open to some of the city’s most important cultural centers.
“With the devastating budget cuts to the Institute of Museum and Library Sciences, museums such as ours are facing not only financial uncertainty, but also an existential challenge,” said Micah Parzen, CEO of the Museum of Us. “This funding is a critical vote of confidence in the importance of values-based work by cultural institutions throughout San Diego County during this tenuous time of historical erasure.”
Organizations were selected based on their civic and cultural leadership, broad reach, and community impact and accessibility, with special consideration for those representing a diverse range of disciplines and geographies, and facing public funding cuts.
“These grants are designed to keep doors open, artists working, and community partnerships alive,” said Dr. Emily Young, Executive Vice President of the Prebys Foundation. “If we wait, we risk losing not just organizations but the spaces and connective tissue they provide for the entire community.”
The awarded organizations include:
Rapid Response Grants
| Organization Name | Grant Amount |
|---|---|
La Jolla Playhouse |
1,000,000 |
San Diego Museum of Art |
1,000,000 |
San Diego Symphony |
1,000,000 |
The Old Globe |
1,000,000 |
Arts District Liberty Station |
$500,000 |
Fleet Science Center |
$500,000 |
La Jolla Music Society |
$500,000 |
Mingei International Museum |
$500,000 |
Museum of Us |
$500,000 |
San Diego Botanic Garden |
$500,000 |
The San Diego Natural History Museum |
$500,000 |
San Diego Opera |
$500,000 |
Institute of Contemporary Art |
$100,000 |
Pacific Arts Movement |
$100,000 |
San Diego Ballet |
$100,000 |
Playwrights Project |
$100,000 |
TranscenDANCE |
$100,000 |
Art of Elan |
$25,000 |
Center for World Music |
$25,000 |
Classics 4 Kids |
$25,000 |
Project [BLANK] |
$25,000 |
San Diego Master Chorale |
$25,000 |
TOTAL |
$8,625,000 |
Venues & Spaces Grants
| Organization Name | Grant Amoun |
|---|---|
MOXIE Theatre |
$150,000 |
Museum of Contemporary Art San Diego |
$200,000 |
Oceanside Historical Society |
$50,000 |
OnStage Playhouse |
$100,000 |
San Diego Civic Youth Ballet |
$245,000 |
San Diego Dance Theater |
$100,000 |
San Diego Made |
$100,000 |
San Diego Youth Symphony |
$150,000 |
Sherman Heights Community Center |
$80,000 |
Veterans Art Project (via SEE) |
$100,000 |
Space 4 Art |
$200,000 |
Spreckels Organ Society |
$81,000 |
T3 Triple Threat Youth Mentors |
$30,000 |
The Art Center Ramona |
$10,000 |
Unci Intertribal |
$90,000 |
Uprise Theatre |
$100,000 |
Urban Collaborative Project |
$125,000 |
Via International |
$150,000 |
Youth Philharmonic Orchestra |
$70,000 |
TOTAL |
$4,750,000 |
About Prebys Foundation:
The Prebys Foundation is the largest independent private foundation in San Diego County. Dedicated to creating an inclusive, equitable, and dynamic future for all, the Foundation invests in four program areas: visual and performing arts, youth success, healthcare, and medical research. Learn more at prebysfdn.org.
# # #
