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. But it depends on collaboration — between artists, cultural organizations, educators, business leaders, and city governments.
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.
That’s why an organization here in San Diego called Vanguard Culture is so vital. Positioned 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.
The organization produces 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. And it seeks to encourage artists and arts organizations to know and support one another.
But this 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.
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. What he and others are now saying is that creativity is economic power, and 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.
John M. Eger is professor emeritus in the School of Journalism and Media Studies at San Diego State University. He previously served as telecommunications advisor to President Gerald R. Ford, legal assistant to FCC Chairman Dean Burch, and Senior Vice President of CBS.
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