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Santa Barbara Bowl Foundation reports $643,000 outreach grants and new solar steps in 2023
Summary
The Bowl Foundation presented its 2023 annual report to the Board, reporting roughly $700,000 in outreach support countywide, nearly 21,000 students served, a major solar project producing about 75% of on‑site energy and continued community programs including Neighbor Day and instrument funds.
The Santa Barbara Bowl Foundation presented its 2023 annual and outreach reports to the Board on March 18, highlighting countywide performing-arts grants, sustainability investments and neighborhood engagement programs.
Rick Bowler, CEO of the Santa Barbara Bowl Foundation, told the supervisors that the foundation contributed roughly $700,000 in outreach and community support in 2023, including $643,000 in countywide grants, nearly 21,000 students served through grant programs and 588 instruments supplied or repaired through an instrument fund. The foundation also reported contributing roughly $56,750 to the County Office of Arts & Culture; since the arts-impact grant fund’s inception the Bowl has directed nearly $600,000 to arts impact grants, Bowler said.
On sustainability, the foundation said a donor-funded solar project generated about 75% of the Bowl’s annual on-site electricity in 2023 and a reusable-cup program reduced single-use cups by roughly 93,000 units. Bowler described venue improvements (seat replacements and other leasehold investments) and said 80% of concessions vendors were local. The foundation also runs Neighbor Day (inviting local households to tours and events), community-ticket subsidies, and spring/fall grant cycles to underwrite ticket access.
Supervisors thanked the foundation and commented on the Bowl’s regional cultural contribution. Several performing-arts teachers and nonprofit leaders addressed the board during public comment to praise the foundation’s grants and school programs; they said funds enabled student trips, instrument purchases and mentorship programs in Lompoc and Santa Barbara schools. The board accepted the foundation’s annual report and asked staff and the ad hoc committee to continue dialogue on county-wide arts investments linked to the Bowl’s lease.
