The entire Central Coast of California is rich with the arts and often serves as a refuge or haven for artists from both the Bay Area and Southern California. Tourists and locals enjoy this beautiful slice of California located three hours between these northern and southern metropolitan communities. Our county stretches over 70 miles down the 101 along the Pacific Coast and inland through desert and mountains to Kern County, covering 3,616 square miles, with just over 284,000 in population. Agriculture, tourism, building and design construction, knowledge and innovation, advanced manufacturing, health services, and energy are some of our major economic drivers. What does each of these economic drivers have in common?  “Arts-Based Leadership.”  According to the Oxford Academic Community Development Journal, the arts are often considered to be at the periphery of the community development process and only a minor player in regenerating areas.  Despite increasing globalization, communities are beginning to recognize their own identity, culture, traditional art forms, and the value of working together at the local level. Across San Luis Obispo County are examples of local art often created by the youth in partnership with local community groups, nonprofits, schools, and professional artists. 

Academics and business leaders understand that arts-based instruction is an interdisciplinary approach to learning. Multiple community and arts organizations with a focus on the arts are strengthening pre-apprenticeship and apprenticeship arts partnerships for local students. Wine County Theatre, a local nonprofit theater company is dedicatedto building a community of artists and audiences. Wine Country Theatre’s mission of building community through practice, participation, and pre-apprenticeship is one of the San Luis Obispo County Office of Education’s Arts Partnerships. 

Local arts organizations continue to partner with the San Luis Obispo County Office of Education to support arts outreach. Our partnerships provide opportunities for students to experience and participate in the arts with local artists. Wine County Theatre’s August production of Rodgers and Hammerstein’s “Cinderella” will open at the Park Ballroom in downtown Paso Robles. The musical features a cast and crew of nearly 50 consisting of 25 students working alongside community and professional artists. Visit WineCountryTheatre.org for additional information.    

According to the most recent Arts and Economic Prosperity Survey, San Luis Obispo County’s arts and arts-related activities enhance our local economy by over $30 million in funding and expenditures. Art is one of the most popular Career and Technical Education (CTE) pathways selected by San Luis Obispo County students. The most recent Central Coast Economic Forecast refers to the positive impact the arts have on our local economy. Our county thrives in cultural and artistic vibrancy because of the dedicated individuals who make the Central Coast their home. Frontiers in Human Neuroscience reports that scientists, humanists, and art lovers value art because of its social importance, communicative power, the capacity to increase self-knowledge, the ability to challenge preconceptions, and the beauty in art. We invite any interested arts organizations to partner with our local schools in building up our community. It is an honor to serve as your county superintendent, and I hope that this article will spark discussion about the power of becoming involved in arts outreach as a volunteer, patron, or participant. 

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