Prebys Foundation Awards $5.8 Million in Grants to Strength ‘Arts Ecosystem’ in San Diego County

The Conrad Prebys Foundation on Thursday announced grants totaling $5.8 million to 38 local cultural organizations to support a growing “arts ecosystem” in San Diego County.

The awarded organizations represent a wide range of art, culture, and creativity serving diverse populations, including individuals with disabilities and border communities.

“The Conrad Prebys Foundation is thrilled to announce the 2024 “Arts Ecosystem” grantees, an initiative designed to invigorate San Diego County’s vibrant arts and culture landscape.” said Grant Oliphant, CEO of the foundation.

The foundation said the grants are based on three guiding principles developed from more than a hundred interviews and a listening tour across the county:

• Great art for all: Ensuring that great art is created by and accessible to the entire community.
• National recognition: Establishing San Diego’s arts and culture landscape as a leader in culturally inclusive and excellent art.
• Financial strength: Supporting artists and cultural practitioners and the arts economy to provide exceptional arts experiences to the community.

“We are thankful for the Prebys Foundation’s considerate approach and transformative impact,” said Monica Emery, executive director of the Center for World Music, which received $150,000. “The Arts Ecosystem grant will enhance our ability to facilitate meaningful connections through world music and dance, nurturing a deep sense of belonging for all.”

The organizations receiving grants this year include:

• La Jolla Music Society — $325,000
• San Diego Art Matter — $260,000
• San Diego Museum of Art — $325,000
• The Old Globe — $325,000
• Asian Culture and Media Alliance Inc. — $200,000
• Asian Story Theater — $150,000
• Barona Cultural Center & Museum — $125,000
• Blindspot Collective — $150,000
• Borrego Art Institute — $100,000
• The Front Arte y Cultura at Casa Familiar Inc. — $125,000
• Center for World Music — $150,000
• Classics 4 Kids — $110,000
• Cygnet Theatre Company –$200,000
• Friends of Friendship Park — $200,000
• Imperial Beach Arts Bureau — $195,000
• INSITE — $75,000
• Institute of Contemporary Art, San Diego — $130,000
• La Mesa Park and Recreation Foundation — $120,000
• Loud Fridge Theatre Group — $50,000
• Mainly Mozart, Inc. — $180,000
• Mingei International Museum — $150,000
• Museum of Us — $250,000
• New Village Arts — $100,000
• ARTS DISTRICT Liberty Station — $150,000
• OnStage Playhouse Inc. — $36,000
• Outside the Lens — $100,000
• Pacific Arts Movement — $125,000
• Playwrights Project — $100,000
• WorldBeat Cultural Center — $100,000
• Reuben H Fleet Science Center — $200,000
• San Diego Museum Council Inc — $150,000
• San Diego Opera — $200,000
• San Diego Performing Arts League — $100,000
• The High Steppers Drill Team, Inc. — $100,000
• Trinity One Theatre Troupe Inc. — $130,000
• TuYo Theatre Inc. — $140,000
• Wheelchair Dancers Organization — $70,000
• Write Out Loud — $80,000

“When combined with Prebys 2023 Arts grantees, these organizations paint a more comprehensive picture of the region’s arts and culture ecosystem, reflecting our commitment to fostering a robust and inclusive cultural landscape,” said Oliphant.

Last year, the Prebys Foundation gave out 67 grants to visual and performing arts organizations totaling $10.4 million.

The Prebys Foundation is the largest independent private foundation in San Diego County. It’s goal is to advance excellence and shared opportunity through investments in groundbreaking institutions, ideas, and people to ensure more people in the region are financially secure, healthy, empowered, and connected.