The arts in San Diego are more than performances on a stage. They are a powerful economic engine, generating $1.2 billion in spending and more than $10 billion in overall impact across the region. WE are also a cornerstone of connection, creativity, and community.

Now, proposed cuts to city arts and culture funding, including the Organizational Support Program (OSP), are putting that entire ecosystem at risk.

For local choruses and performing arts organizations, the impact could be immediate, widespread, and long-lasting.

What does this mean for your chorus?

1) Your chorus may lose critical funding

If your organization receives support through the the city’s Organizational Support Program, those funds may disappear entirely. For many choruses, this funding is not supplemental. It is essential to basic operations.

2) Performance venues may become less accessible

Many venues also rely on city arts funding to operate. Cuts could mean higher rental fees, reduced availability, or even venue closures, making it harder to produce concerts at all.

3) Audiences may decline while costs increase

As arts funding shrinks, organizations are forced to raise ticket prices to survive. At the same time, reduced marketing budgets and fewer community programs can lead to declining attendance.

4) Paid arts jobs may disappear

Across San Diego County, arts organizations depend on this funding to pay conductors, accompanists, musicians, and administrative staff. Eliminating funding means eliminating jobs and many choruses will lose the ability to fairly compensate their artists and teams.

5) A long-term domino effect

A complete loss of funding will not just affect this season. It will create ripple effects for years to come. With fewer performances, fewer opportunities for artists, and a diminished cultural landscape.

6) Barriers to access and equity will grow.

There will be fewer opportunities for singers and community engagement. Choruses may be forced to scale back programming, reduce ensemble sizes, or eliminate outreach initiatives that bring music into schools and underserved communities. This will be detrimental to our next generation of choral singers, musicians, conductors, technical artists, and musicians! Arts funding helps keep programs affordable and accessible. Cuts will disproportionately impact smaller organizations and limit participation for singers and audiences.

7) Increased burnout among volunteers

Many small and mid-sized choruses rely heavily on volunteer leadership. When funding disappears, the workload increases - leading to burnout and, in some cases, organizational instability.

8) Reduced collaboration across the arts community

With fewer resources available, arts organizations may be forced to compete rather than collaborate for funding, audiences, venues, and donor support. This shift can weaken the strong network that has helped San Diego’s arts community thrive. Partnerships that once expanded audiences and improved artistic quality may become harder to sustain. Over time, this can lead to a more isolated and less connected arts ecosystem across the region.

***What can we do next?***

**Make your voice heard!**
The San Diego Union-Tribune is currently accepting letters to the editor about the impact of arts funding cuts.
Submit a short statement (150–200 words) to: **arts@sduniontribune.com**
If the arts have ever moved you, connected you, or given you a sense of belonging—this is the moment to speak up.
**Contact your City Council representative**
Reach out directly to your local leaders and share how these cuts would affect your chorus and your community.
Find your representative here: San Diego City Council District Map & Contacts

Continue to support your chorus

Attend concerts. Invite friends. Stay engaged. Your presence matters more than ever!

Become a donor

Consider becoming an annual donor to the choruses you love or giving a small monthly amount. Even modest monthly contributions add up! For small arts organizations, that support goes a long way!

Support the Choral Consortium of San Diego

As resources become more limited, collaboration becomes ESSENTIAL. Instead of competing for fewer opportunities, we can work together to sustain our community!

The Choral Consortium of San Diego is actively exploring new ways to:

Share resources and equipment
Support local vendors
Create partnerships between organizations
Reduce costs through collaboration

If you are interested in getting involved, now is the time. We need your voice, your ideas, and your support!

San Diego’s choral community is resilient, passionate, and deeply connected. But without investment in the arts, the cost will be felt by all of us.

The question is not just what happens next… but what we choose to do NOW!

Mayor Gloria has proposed cutting all arts & culture funding… How will this affect my chorus?