The Balboa Theatre at 868 Fourth Ave. might sit at the heart of a possible downtown arts district. (By Frank Sabatini Jr.)

Plans for a Downtown Arts District Are Brewing

By Frank Sabatini Jr.

The Downtown San Diego Partnership just hired nationally recognized arts leader, Jonathon Glus, to elevate the area’s cultural identity, which will mean casting a spotlight onto downtown’s visual and performing arts communities for the creation of an official arts district.

Glus has worked with arts organizations around the country and most recently served as director of the City of San Diego’s Department of Cultural Affairs. He was also part of the leadership team that directed the World Design Capital 2024 to our region.

As Glus settles into his new job, we spoke to his colleague, Nathan Bishop, who is vice president of planning and economic development for the Downtown Partnership. We asked him for a few specifics about Glus’ role in helping to create an arts district within the core of San Diego.

“We have looked at other cities’ art and theater districts, such as in Cleveland, Houston, Dallas, and Vancouver, Canada. We noted the economic impacts they have had,” Bishop said. “The Dallas Arts District, for example, brought in more than $300 million through that community. So we’re looking at what models are out there that could lend to opportunities for celebrating our own downtown arts community.”

When asked about the boundaries of a San Diego arts district; what the district would be called; and what it would look like, Bishop explained: “We’re not sure if there will be formal or informal boundaries. Once we pull in the art community and have their input, we will determine boundaries and a name.”

He went on to say that venues such as the San Diego Civic Theatre, the Balboa Theatre, and the currently dark Lyceum and Spreckels theaters all reside within two or three blocks from each other. Those properties, he added, would naturally be contained within an official arts district, which could potentially be distinguished by murals, sculptures, banners and other art pieces on our downtown streets.

Funding for such an endeavor, he added, will be explored by Glus, who will look into philanthropy, grants, and partnerships with our city’s arts commission.