Arts and cultural experiences positively impact our local economy, generating $1.1 billion in total economy activity.
Equally important is the affect arts and culture has in local neighborhoods. Artists have deep roots in communities, and their work inspires conversation, civic pride and positive, meaningful experiences within communities.
That’s one of the many reasons why the Escondido Charitable Foundation (ECF) is hoping to increase arts and cultural experiences within its community.
Enhancing Arts & Cultural Experiences
At its 12th Annual Grants Celebration, ECF awarded $183,910 to six nonprofit programs that will enhance Escondido through interactive, publicly-accessible arts and cultural experiences.
Among the six organizations supported was Escondido Arts Partnership (EAP). Founded in 1995, the organization nurtures a community of artists with local opportunities, including ongoing arts education, peer and public interactions, exhibitions and performance space.
The EAP mission is to enhance the quality of life in the Southern California region through offering diverse artistic, education, social and entertainment experiences.
“It was a real thrill to hear we received the grant and gave us confidence to move forward on these projects,” shared Chrisanne Moats, executive director of EAP.
“We want Escondido to become a community that appreciates art,” she continued.
With the $21,700 grant from ECF, EAP will help create a mural and flag display in Escondido. The projects will entice visitors to Grand Avenue with a visual exploration of the essence and culture of Escondido’s colorful agricultural history, growing arts scene and acres of open spaces.
“The mural will help people appreciate the local surroundings and panoramic scenes of our community,” explained Moats.
Moats and her committee will accept proposals for the mural this fall from local artists before sharing designs with Escondido community members who will ultimately vote on a winner. The mural is expected to be completed in the spring of 2019.
In addition to the mural, the EAP flag display will act as an arts catalyst for younger age groups. EAP is encouraging children visiting the Escondido farmers’ market to paint and number their own flags on public canvases.
These flags will be displayed at the local farmers’ market and other outdoors, public events so families can enjoy and engage with the art from their children.
In addition to EAP, ECF also funded the following programs:
- The Allegro Project from Civic Youth Orchestra, Inc. ($50,000)
- The Wall Speaks from Escondido Community Child Development Center ($30,000)
- Restoration of Historic Victorian from Escondido History Center ($16,778)
- Excavating Escondido II: An Interactive Adventure in Discovery from La Jolla Playhouse ($50,000)
- Ticitozaa Folklorico Dance Festival from Tierra Caliente Academy of Arts ($15,432)
Make a Lasting Impact
The San Diego Foundation Regional Affiliate Program enables communities to leverage charitable funds from its residents who take collective action through grantmaking.
ECF was founded to provide community members a vehicle to increase effective and responsible philanthropy in Escondido. Through 12 years of grantmaking, ECF has addressed a wide range of community issues including health and human services; science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) education; access to the outdoors; advancing arts & culture and more.
If you aren’t a member yet, the Regional Affiliate Program is the perfect way to become an active philanthropist for your community’s well-being and growth, wherever you live.
Working alongside your friends and neighbors, you can help your community and build a strong, resilient neighborhood today, and into the future.
