HomeMy WebLinkAbout1/23/2025 Item Funding Priorities, Robertson
Christine Robertson <
To:E-mail Council Website
Subject:2025-2027 Major City Goals
Attachments:012325 - SLO City Goals.pdf
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Please find attached a letter from the San Luis Coastal Education Foundation regarding the 2025-2027
Major City Goals.
Christine Robertson
Executive Director
San Luis Coastal Education Foundation
(805) 549-1300
1
January 23, 2025
Mayor Erica A. Stewart and Members of the City Council
City of San Luis Obispo
990 Palm Street
San Luis Obispo, CA 93401
Dear Mayor Stewart and Members of the City Council,
On behalf of the San Luis Coastal Education Foundation, I am writing to express our strong
support for maintaining arts and culture as one of the City of San Luis Obispo’s core priorities in
the updated Major City Goals. As an organization dedicated to leveraging the power of K-12
public education to build an economically mobile and equitable homegrown talent pipeline,
we recognize the critical role that a thriving arts and culture sector plays in fostering economic
development and community vitality.
Research has consistently shown that investments in arts and culture yield significant economic
and social benefits. According to the Americans for the Arts’ Arts & Economic Prosperity 5
report, nonprofit arts and culture organizations and their audiences generated $166.3 billion in
economic activity nationwide in 2015, supporting 4.6 million jobs and generating $27.5 billion
in government revenue. On a local level, a robust arts and culture ecosystem contributes to the
vibrancy and uniqueness of our community, making it a more attractive place to live, work, and
invest. This is particularly important as San Luis Obispo continues to create high-quality jobs
aligned with our region’s economic strategy.
Our Education Foundation is deeply committed to fostering economic mobility for the 44% of
socioeconomically disadvantaged students in the San Luis Coastal Unified School District.
These students represent untapped potential, and by pairing high-quality job creation with a
culturally vibrant community, we can encourage them to envision a future where they can thrive
here at home. Research indicates that communities with diverse and thriving cultural assets are
more likely to retain their young talent, particularly those who value creativity, innovation, and
connection. For example, a study by the Knight Foundation and Gallup found that “social
offerings,” which include arts and cultural opportunities, are among the top factors that attach
people to their communities.
San Luis Coastal Education Foundation · 1500 Lizzie Street, San Luis Obispo, CA 93401 · (805) 549-1300
Website: https://www.slcef.org/ · Email: info@slcef.org · A 501(c)3 nonprofit organization · Tax ID #82-4196024
As the city updates its Major City Goals, we urge you to recognize arts and culture not just as
an amenity but as a foundational element of economic and community development. By
prioritizing and investing in this sector, San Luis Obispo can:
1. Encourage Youth Retention: A vibrant cultural scene enhances quality of life and
provides young people with compelling reasons to stay, live, and work in their
hometown.
2. Support Workforce Development: Arts and culture contribute to the development of
creativity and critical thinking—skills essential for the jobs of the future.
3. Promote Equity and Inclusion: Cultural programs and public art initiatives can reflect
and celebrate the diverse experiences of all community members, fostering a sense of
belonging and unity.
Our foundation stands ready to collaborate with the city and other community partners to
ensure that arts and culture remain a central priority in shaping the future of San Luis Obispo.
Together, we can build a community where every student, regardless of socioeconomic
background, has the opportunity to thrive in a culturally rich and economically dynamic
environment.
Thank you for your leadership and commitment to making San Luis Obispo a place where
creativity, innovation, and opportunity flourish. We look forward to supporting the city’s efforts
to sustain arts and culture as a cornerstone of our collective success.
Sincerely,
Christine Robertson
Executive Director