San Diego Arts Institutions Are Doing Well Financially - by Frances Garnett

A few years after the recession in 2007, several arts institutions in San Diego are finally becoming financially stable. After having budget cuts and having to reduce and cut staff and programs (the San Diego Opera had to cut a production) while getting less and less money from sponsors, organizations are becoming optimistic and have plans for the future. Some organizations, like the San Diego Air & Space Museum and the San Diego Museum of Art, want to expand their spaces, while others are discussing specific campaigns. Unfortunately, they are still experiencing hardships and won't be able to return to what they were for a long time, if ever. Some of the CEOs of the organizations are saying that they need to remember that they still need to make sure they are selling what the public wants.

This is a local article, so it probably has some ties to the San Diego culture and people, but I believe it can also apply to other parts of the United States. I think that this is a wonderful thing for San Diego, and I hope it spreads to other cities. We need to have more of an appreciation for fine arts, because this could be a significant time for them, and that is why this article is significant in our lives. For example, I heard someone say once that what most jobs look for nowadays is a Bachelor's in fine arts, because our modern world needs creativity and the ability to interact with people. But, more importantly, it helps keep us sane. Who wants to work all day long? We need a break to explore what humanity is like, and for entertainment, too. If you think about it, it's culture that we live for. I still think that it's a shame that these organizations have to be run like businesses. I feel really lucky to go to a school where experiencing and seeing art, of any kind, as much as possible is encouraged so much. Imagine how hard it must be to have to cut back and have to be so dependent on others for money, which is why this country must be as supportive as possible. I think this article was written to inspire optimism and show how working hard can help bring success.

Source: http://www.utsandiego.com/news/2013/Oct/12/state-of-the-arts-san-diego/?#article-copy