San Diego’s Arts: A Call to Keep the Beat Alive

A city budget shows what a community values. In San Diego’s upcoming plan for 2026‑27, the mayor proposed cutting $11. 8 million from arts funding. That move signals to residents that the city no longer sees culture as essential. The Old Globe, a local theatre, argues otherwise. Arts generate more than $1. 1 billion for the city’s economy, create jobs, attract tourists, and raise San Diego’s profile worldwide. The Globe has taken 27 productions to Broadway and many others abroad, proving the city’s creative strength. It also works across borders with Tijuana, strengthening ties between communities. City money for the Globe goes to community programs, not fancy costumes or pricey tickets. In 2026, nearly $400, 000 will bring free theatre to senior centers, shelters for the unhoused, veterans groups, at‑risk youth programs, high schools, libraries, and more across every district. These offerings are unique to the Globe and fill gaps left by other city services.If the funding disappears, these programs will end. Residents who rely on them for education, connection, and hope would lose a vital resource. Other cultural groups—museums, music ensembles, dance companies—would face similar setbacks, undermining the city’s promise to protect its most vulnerable citizens. The mayor admitted the cuts were painful, noting it was a difficult choice. Yet $11. 8 million is only 0. 49% of the $2. 4 billion General Fund. Alternatives exist that could preserve these benefits without harming the city’s fiscal health. Like any organization, the Globe must prioritize scarce resources each year. The city should adopt a similar mindset: choose what truly matters for the community’s well‑being. Arts are not a luxury; they shape San Diego into a livable, vibrant place. Citizens deserve to demand that this support be restored.