by John M. Eger
October 27, 2025
Most people enjoy the arts—whether it’s music, theater, dance, or film; painting, sculpture, or photography; poetry, design, or digital media. Yet few of us stop to realize that the arts are not just entertainment. They are central to the new economy. The arts cultivate imagination, critical thinking, and the ability to see patterns and possibilities where others see limits. These are precisely the skills needed to design bold solutions, build inclusive communities, and adapt to a rapidly changing global marketplace.
It’s no longer sufficient to say that “the arts are important.” We must make it clear that they are essential—a cornerstone of civic life and economic vitality. By integrating the arts into education, urban planning, and workforce development, we are not indulging a cultural preference; we are investing in America’s creative economy.
Why the Urgency?
In the absence of meaningful federal leadership in arts and culture, the responsibility to sustain fairness, inclusion, and access now falls on cities, communities, and local organizations.
During the Trump administration, we witnessed a dismantling of national arts leadership: mass resignations from the Kennedy Center Board of Trustees, the dissolution of the President’s Committee on the Arts and the Humanities, and the cancellation of programs once aimed at promoting diversity and inclusion. Federal funding cuts soon followed—undermining key agencies such as the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA), the National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH), the Institute for Museum and Library Services, and even arts programs within the Department of Education.
As a result, communities across the country have been forced to step up—forming regional alliances and nonprofit collaborations to preserve the creative infrastructure that federal programs once supported.
Creativity as Economic Power
Former San Francisco Mayor Ed Lee once remarked:
“Cities today are the engines of the greatest surge in innovation, creativity, and problem solving in human history… and cities that think of themselves as platforms will become stronger, attract better talent, and become smarter from the bottom up.”
His words ring truer today than ever. In this new era, success is no longer measured solely by industrial output or market share. Innovation has become the new currency—and creativity is its foundation. From artificial intelligence to design thinking, from biotech to sustainable architecture, the creative process fuels discovery and reinvention.
Without creativity, capitalism risks becoming an engine of repetition rather than a force for renewal. The arts are not a luxury—they are the soul of innovation.
The Vanguard Culture Model
That’s why organizations like Vanguard Culture are so vital.
Vanguard Culture describes itself as “a creative and economic catalyst for the region and beyond.” It is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to advancing San Diego’s creative industries through award-winning arts journalism, cutting-edge events, and professional development programs that create arts jobs, bring diverse communities together, and inspire collaboration across disciplines—from the visual and performing arts to the culinary and digital realms.
But that description only scratches the surface. Vanguard Culture represents a model for what local arts leadership can be in the 21st century: nimble, inclusive, interdisciplinary, and economically strategic. It bridges the gap between culture and commerce, between creative expression and civic innovation.
In an era when many arts institutions struggle to survive, Vanguard Culture has found ways to thrive by redefining what it means to be both an arts organization and a community catalyst. It connects artists to entrepreneurs, educators to policymakers, and audiences to ideas.
A Call to Action
The future of America’s creative economy depends on collaboration—between artists, cultural organizations, educators, business leaders, and city governments. Every community has the potential to cultivate its own Vanguard Culture—a space where creativity, civic engagement, and economic growth intersect.
If we truly believe that innovation drives progress, then supporting the arts is not an act of charity; it is an act of national strategy. The arts are where imagination meets implementation—and where our collective future begins.
Vanguard Culture is a 501(c)3 nonprofit dedicated to advancing San Diego’s creative workforce. If you would like to help advance this important mission, please consider making a tax-deductible donation of any amount today. Every bit helps and they cannot do this important work without your support.
