Amidst the City of San Diego's proposed cuts to Arts funding in its newest budget, North Coast Rep's Artistic Director David Ellenstein wrote to The San Diego Union~Tribune to speak out against the elimination of public arts funding:

Theater and the arts are essential

To the mayor and City Council of San Diego, while I live and work just outside the city limits, it is a privilege to be part of this extraordinary region. San Diego County’s cultural vitality is one of its defining strengths, and its arts community is central to that identity.

At a time when arts funding is already under significant pressure at the federal level, the proposed cuts in the 2027 city budget are especially
concerning. The arts are not peripheral — they are an essential public good that contributes to economic activity, education, tourism and the overall quality of life for residents and visitors alike. Reducing support now risks undermining a sector that is already operating with limited resources.

As Artistic Director of North Coast Repertory Theatre, I see firsthand how interconnected our regional arts ecosystem is. While our organization would not be directly impacted by these specific cuts, many of our colleagues, collaborators and partner organizations within the city would be. The effects of these reductions will be felt broadly — impacting artists, administrators, small businesses and the diverse communities they serve.

Cuts of this nature do more than reduce programming; they weaken the cultural fabric of the region. In challenging economic times, the arts are not a luxury to be trimmed, but a stabilizing and unifying force that deserves sustained — and ideally increased — investment.

I respectfully urge you to reconsider these proposed reductions and to reaffirm San Diego’s commitment to a vibrant and accessible arts community. Thank you for your time and consideration.

David Ellenstein,
Artistic Director
North Coast Repertory Theatre

To read the letters from other Arts Leaders and Supporters, click here.