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“We really do not have a facility that is focused on arts and culture.” <br />Arts from the Hispanic community are there, but not coming in. Seems like there should be <br />a merging of those communities. <br /> Outside of San Marcos, the arts market has restored … San Marcos is lacking. <br />Nobody is doing particularly well. Maybe the student population has different priorities for <br />expendable income. <br /> “I don’t think anybody is able to make any money at it.” <br /> “We are still not where we need to be with the audience.” <br /> “I don’t know that the market is there yet.” <br />City hasn’t quite caught up in some ways. When it comes to arts planning, thereneeds to be <br />more outreach and inclusion of more diverse groups. <br /> “The government is kind of standoffish. It’s not itself well integrated.” In terms of the arts, <br />you hardly see city people at events, even some arts commissioners. <br /> Need support from the City, e.g., rental subsidy, infrastructure improvement. <br /> “I don’t think we are telling our story well and we need to be better at doing it.” <br /> We had to surrender the arts funding for the grants that people had been awarded. On a <br />scale from 1-5, we are currently at a 1. <br />COVID-19 impacts on arts organizations.Interviewees made observations about how arts organizations <br />are faring during the pandemic. <br />Struggling to survive. A number of interviewees reported that local arts organizations were struggling to <br />survive during COVID-19. <br /> “It’s been tough.” <br /> “We \[City\] don’t go the extra mile to do something … they \[arts organizations\] want <br />everyone to do everything for them.” <br /> We \[arts organization\] came to a complete standstill. Closed everything except for private <br />studios …. Gave us a chance to see what was profitable, what was fun, what is needed. <br /> Government did not offer much support or resources — money was asked to be returned <br />and saved for next year. <br />Suffering … don’t know how they are surviving. Difficult year for the arts eco-system as a <br />whole. <br /> \[Discussing HOT tax\] \[City\] is beholden to only fund things that have to do with tourism …. <br />“Obnoxious hurdle.” <br /> “We’ve received letters from organizations who cannot afford rent.” <br />Staying afloat. Some interviewees reported that some organizations managed to adapt and stay open. <br /> \[There was\] 30–40k of disposable/reserve income that helped them \[arts organization\] <br />through the pandemic. <br /> We \[arts and culture organization\] know how to be adaptable. Virtual encounters were well <br />received. <br /> Arts organizations are still going strong. A co-op downtown just opened and is going strong. <br />KEEN INDEPENDENT RESEARCH — SAN MARCOS ARTS MASTER PLAN 2022 APPENDIX E,PAGE 5 <br /> <br />