San Diego Public Library Foundation - Projects: Cultural Programming




The Library is the largest provider of free art and cultural programming in San Diego.

The Library's Visual Arts Program is nationally recognized. Spaces like this one--the Marla Haas Community Room in the Point Loma/Hervey Branch Library--provide an opportunity for both art and music. This piano was generously donated by Library supporters Richard and Judy Eby.

Patron at Central Library enjoys piece by Harold Cohen in an exhibit sponsored by the Visual Arts Program.

Cultural Programming

The Library is San Diego's largest provider of free cultural programming with more than 5,000 cultural and educational events each year. Increasingly, the Libraries are places to gather, hear great local music and see vibrant artwork--all with events open to the public and free of charge.

Music

Musical performances at the Central Library began in the mid-1950s and that tradition carries on. Today, the Central Library concert series presents at least 12 concerts annually during Fall and Winter/Spring seasons. Visit here for a list of upcoming performances.

Also, nearly half of San Diego Public Library branches host musical performances with strong musical schedules at the Point Loma/Hervey, La Jolla/Riford, Mission Valley and Rancho Bernardo Branch Libraries. Visit here for schedules at your branch.

The Library needs continued support to establish concert series or expand existing programs. Patrons can foster the growth of local music by:

Attending a library concert and making a contribution at the event.
Supporting an individual concert. Donations help defray concert costs, such as piano tuning, publicity or performer fees.
Underwriting a concert series.

Visual Arts Program

This nationally-recognized program celebrated its 12-year anniversary recently. The program presents museum-quality art exhibitions at Libraries and hosts artists’ lectures, a television program, and other art-related activities. The Program demonstrates the Library’s role as a cultural institution embracing a broad range of disciplines and is one of a handful of libraries nationally with its own curator--Mark-Elliott Lugo.

The Central Library, Mission Valley and Pacific Beach/Taylor Branch Libraries are the primary exhibition venues, with long-term group exhibitions at the Point Loma/Hervey, College-Rolando, and Otay-Mesa/Nestor branches. Additionally, new branches are designed with the capability of exhibiting art. The New Main Library project includes plans for a major exhibition space.

Visual Arts Program activities are funded almost exclusively from gallery sales and individual donations. Visual Arts Program funding is needed to support daily operational expenses, acquire works for the Library’s Permanent Collection of Art and build additional exhibition facilities.

To read an interview with Mark Elliott-Lugo, Visit here.

For more information on supporting the Library's cultural programming, contact Jay Hill at (619) 236-5861.