To promote greater public participation in artistic and cultural activities, the City of San Diego will grant funds to 186 local nonprofit organizations this fiscal year. The funding will support programs and activities such as film and video screenings, exhibits, performances, festivals, parades, and other neighborhood events.

“From San Ysidro to Rancho Bernardo, we are investing in our city’s dynamic cultural sector to ensure all San Diegans have access to meaningful arts experiences,” said Mayor Todd Gloria. “Our annual support of local arts and cultural organizations fosters a stronger economy, creates more jobs, gives our city a sense of identity, and enhances the lives of San Diegans and our visitors from around the world.”

The City’s Commission for Arts and Culture annually funds local nonprofit organizations to cultivate and expand arts and culture activities in all City Council districts. The Commission’s Organization Support Program (OSP) and Creative Communities San Diego (CCSD) award the funding, which is generated through a local allocation of Transient Occupancy Tax collected from visitors who stay overnight in hotels, motels, and other similar accommodations.

The OSP provides general operating support to nonprofit arts and culture organizations to help deliver programs and activities that offer residents and tourists direct access to arts and culture opportunities. This positively impacts San Diegans’ quality of life and tourism. In fiscal year 2024, which runs from July 1, 2023, to June 30, 2024, the OSP will award more than $10.1 million to 113 organizations.

While the OSP supports nonprofit organizations, CCSD provides support for neighborhood projects. For the fiscal year 2024, the City’s CCSD will award more than $2 million to 73 projects. The City will announce the OSP and CCSD application process for fiscal year 2025 in the fall of this year.

“As the region’s largest annual funder for arts and culture, the City of San Diego puts creativity into action daily,” said Jonathon Glus, executive director for arts and culture. “These investments provide a lasting impact through job creation, they build stronger communities and empower arts and cultural organizations to reach and engage all San Diegans. On behalf of City staff, the Commission for Arts and Culture, and our arts and culture communities, I’d like to thank Mayor Todd Gloria and City Councilmembers for their support of these high-impact funding awards that improve the economic health of the sector and prioritize creative community-building and arts experiences for residents and visitors this fiscal year.”

The City of San Diego advances and drives an equitable and inclusive creative economy and cultural ecosystem by investing in the work of artists and creatives and institutions and systems that amply creative work and experiences. To learn more, visit sandiego.gov/arts-culture.