HomeMy WebLinkAbout1/23/2025 Item Funding Priorities, Gardner
Hayden Gardner <
To:E-mail Council Website
Cc:Leann Standish
Subject:City Goal Setting- SLO City Council
Attachments:City Goal Setting letter.pdf
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Dear City Council Members,
Please see attached letter from the San Luis Obispo Museum of Art's Marketing Committee regarding
your City Goal Setting.
Thank you for your time and leadership.
Best,
Hayden Gardner (he/him)
Administrative Assistant
San Luis Obispo Museum of Art
805-543-8562 | www.sloma.org
SLOMA is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit
100% FUNDED BY PEOPLE LIKE YOU.
1
S A N L U I S 0BISPO
museum OF M
San Luis Obispo City Council Members
990 Palm Street
San Luis Obispo, CA 93401
Dear City Council Members,
As you deliberate on the major goals for our community, I write to urge you to prioritize the
arts as a central focus for San Luis Obispo's future. The arts are not merely a cultural asset
but a foundational element that supports thriving communities, strengthens social
cohesion, and enriches the lives of residents.
With the development of three large housing projects and the arrival of thousands of new
residents, the role of the arts has never been more crucial. A vibrant arts scene invites
participation in community life and serves as a bridge for newcomers to engage with the
values and identity of San Luis Obispo. This connection fosters a deeper sense of
belonging, which is essential for social harmony and cohesion.
Across the country, thriving downtowns are intrinsically tied to thriving arts districts. San
Luis Obispo has a unique opportunity to join the ranks of its comparative peers —cities that
have successfully developed cultural arts districts as centers of creativity and community
pride. These districts not only enhance the quality of life for residents but also contribute to
mental health and human connection, combating the social dysfunction that can arise from
isolation.
It is important to recognize that the arts are far more than tourism drivers. They are integral
to creating a "sense of place" —an identity that binds the community together and
celebrates the diverse perspectives that make SLO unique. Programs like those offered by
the San Luis Obispo Museum of Art (SLOMA) specifically address city goals around diversity,
equity, and inclusion (DEI), ensuring that all voices are represented and valued.
As stewards of our city's future, you have the opportunity to ensure the arts play a leading
role in shaping the San Luis Obispo Life for both current and future generations. By investing
in the arts and supporting the development of a cultural arts district, you can help create a
dynamic, inclusive, and resilient community that reflects the best of what San Luis Obispo
has to offer.
Thank you for considering the transformative power of the arts as you set the major city
goals. I am confident that your leadership will help position San Luis Obispo as a beacon of
creativity, connection, and community.
Sincerely,
SLO Museum of Art Marketing Committee:
Lynne Biddinger- Chair Cheryl Cuming, Lea Brandy- Members
1010 BROAD STREET at Mission Plaza
POST OFFICE BOX 813
SAN LUIS OBISPO, CA 93406
PH: 805-543-8562
INFO@SLOMA.ORG
Ermina Karim
Chair
Barbara Bell
Immediate Past
Chair
Cheryl Cuming
Secretary
Trudie Safreno
Treasurer
Charles Crotser
Board Member
John Dunn
Board Member
Charles Feltman
Board Member
Lindsey Ham
Board Member
Beya Makekau
Board Member
David Richards
Board Member
Leann Standish
Executive Director