Sycuan Band donates $1.1M to S.D. Symphony
SAN DIEGO
The San Diego Symphony on Friday announced that Sycuan has donated $1.1 million donation to the organization.
A newly established plaza was unveiled at The Rady Shell at Jacobs Park Friday, named the Sycuan Community Plaza in honor of the Sycuan Band of the Kumeyaay Nation and Sycuan Casino Resort.
This donation, according to a symphony representative, is the largest one made to Southern California’s arts and culture sector by a sovereign tribal nation and will be used to enhance the symphony’s infrastructure and community outreach endeavors.
“(Sycuan has) always been a vital partner for this orchestra,” said San Diego Symphony CEO Martha Gilmer. “Together we are building greater access to cultural experiences in our region.”
With this donation, the symphony’s The Future is HEAR campaign has raised $123.5 million out of its $125 million goal. Central to the campaign is the revitalization of venues such as Copley Symphony Hall at the Joan and Irwin Jacobs Music Center and The Rady Shell at Jacobs Park.
Chairman of the Sycuan Band of the Kumeyaay Nation Cody Martinez regards this most recent donation as another milestone in the “longstanding partnership” between Sycuan and the symphony, unified in their mission of nurturing “local artistic community programs.”
In addition to their infrastructure projects, Sycuan is also a contributor to the symphony’s Music Connects program, which aims to increase access to live music. The partnership between the symphony and Sycuan goes back 20 years and includes the sharing of venues and amenities, availability of discounts and access to different performance opportunities. These benefits are available to tribal members, Sycuan casino employees and symphony patrons.
“Through the Kumeyaay spirit of giving, it is very important for us to invest in all aspects of our community, especially arts and culture,” Martinez said. “(We) look forward to being a part of the different musical events and experiences that (the symphony) continues to bring to life for the San Diego community.”