SAN DIEGO – Artists in Pacific Beach and La Jolla are speaking out about Mayor Todd Gloria’s proposal to freeze nearly $12 million in funding for art programs and grants in San Diego to fill a massive budget deficit. While the final amount in cuts won’t be decided until the city council votes to adopt the budget, local artists and artisans say cutting funding for the arts impacts the community in a number of ways. To hear from local artists, Times of San Diego did a shout-out on social media and via an email blast, asking artists and coastal residents their take on this year’s budget.Here’s what they had to say:Hanna Daly – San Diego Muralist-
“As a local artist who has painted hundreds of public murals, I’m super disappointed with Todd Gloria’s proposal to cut the arts,” said Daly, whose work graces buildings in both La Jolla and Pacific Beach. “Look around our city streets. Public art creates a sense of community and brings daily moments of joy to residents. And if happier, healthier San Diegans aren’t enough, public art also leads to more tourism and higher spending at local businesses.”Daly said that her murals and those from other artists create a vibrant sense of community, building community pride and identity. Public murals also bring joy to those passing through. Daly also says murals actually generate revenue and are not a drain on public coffers. “Studies show that public art is a powerful economic driver, bringing between $1.75- $11 for every dollar spent. Ask any business owner who has a mural outside. Art creates interest, which leads to attention and sales. Art isn’t just for fun. It’s essential,” Daly said. “We could all live in grey cement buildings and wear grey clothing, but we chose not to. Why? Because color and design bring joy and wonder to our world. Artists remind us how magical it is to be alive,” said Daly.Fellow San Diego muralist Jack Stricker agrees.Jack Stricker – Muralist
“This kind of cut means fewer grants, shows, murals, and fewer chances for artists to even be seen,” said Stricker, who recently installed a Padres mural at Harbor Town and a Portuguese-themed mural for United Portuguese S.E.S., Inc. “San Diego’s art scene was finally starting to rebuild after COVID, and now the city wants to cut arts funding by 85%. That hits everyone: visual artists like me, musicians, and theater communities.”“I get it…there’s a budget deficit, and tough choices have to be made,” he continued. “But cutting the arts this deeply sends a message about what the city values. San Diego runs on tourism. Why not use a small portion of hotel tax revenue to support the arts? Other cities do it; it works, and it doesn’t put more pressure on residents. Visitors help pay for the culture they come to experience. It’s one of the least painful ways to fund the arts without hitting residents harder.”Sarah Stieber: Painter, muralist and jewelry designer –
“While my own art business generally operates independently of public funding, I know that nothing exists in a vacuum,” said Steiber, a muralist whose airport-themed artwork adorns the Monsaraz Hotel in Point Loma. “Cutting $12 million from the arts would have a devastating, lasting effect on every creative and every resident here. As an artist hoping to open an art gallery in San Diego, this proposed budget cut makes me question the city’s future. We would be telling visitors and residents alike that we don’t value culture, and that San Diego is not a place to visit for art. The cut would dampen San Diego’s soul and destroy the creativity that makes our city special.”And while artists and muralists alike decry cuts to the arts budget, so too are residents. “The fact that the number of unclassified middle managers has increased by over 450% with a 1% population increase should be staggering to all San Diegans,” said Pacific Beach resident and advocate Scott Chipman. “There is no justification for that increase, and I know of no one who thinks city services have dramatically improved in recent years or improved at all.”Pacific Beach resident Marcie Beckett agrees, stating residents shouldn’t be punished for the city’s poor financial decisions. “The City would not be in this desperate budget situation if elected officials had not repeatedly squandered taxpayer money on debacles such as 101 Ash Street and ill-planned pension reform,” said Beckett. “The solution is to elect competent leaders who will work for the people, not special interests.”La Jolla resident Melinda Merryweather cautions San Diego’s politicos about the larger impact slashing arts could have on a city. “If you cut the arts, you cut the heart,” said the longtime La Jollan. “It is the path in this country from the ghetto to success.”
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