Arts: A Tool for Social Impact and Cohesion

Arts are vital to our quality of life. In addition to the economic benefits – the nation’s arts and culture sector is a nearly $700 billion industry, representing a larger share of the economy than transportation and agriculture – arts impact the very fabric of lives and communities.

Reasons for supporting the arts abound. A high arts concentration in a city leads to higher civic engagement, more social cohesion, higher child welfare, and lower crime and poverty rates.

Through the Creative Catalyst Program, The San Diego Foundation strengthens the region’s local creative sector by supporting emerging and established artists whose pieces spark conversation, invite community members to explore new worlds and celebrate our region’s unique diversity.

Upcoming Creative Catalyst Performances

In its third cycle of awards, the 2015 Creative Catalyst projects invite community members to engage in local arts performances that address personal, community and global themes. Check out the following opportunities to be part of the creative process.

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The Creative Catalyst: Individual Artist Fellowship Program provides opportunities for local professional artists like Yale, Todd and Mike to create work that advances their careers and increases civic engagement and social capital within San Diego neighborhoods.

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About Vi Calvo

Vi CalvoAs the Community Impact Manager at The San Diego Foundation, Vi works with local governments, nonprofits, academic institutions and community groups to identify and support strategic partnerships throughout the region aligned with Work, Enjoy, Live and Learn (WELL). Vi earned a bachelor’s degree in Communications from UC Santa Barbara and a master’s degree in Nonprofit Leadership and Management from the University of San Diego.

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