North City’s Generous Gift Helps A&L Produce Strong Program
By Tim Meehan
When North City was first proposed, the congruency of the urban neighborhood project with nearby Cal State San Marcos was not only obvious but highly desirable.
What better way to maintain a small-town feel with tremendous growth in a few short years than to join forces to make living, studying and working a way of life?
The relationship between North City and CSUSM has been a steady force since its inception. Now it continues to be a progressive one, as the organization has signed on to be a Premier Platinum sponsor for the university’s signature Arts & Lectures program.
“North City is proud to be an ongoing sponsor of the CSUSM Arts & Lectures series, and we look forward to a terrific year of events and activities,” said Andy Tenn, senior manager at Sea Breeze Properties. “The partnership between CSUSM and North City will only continue to grow, and together we are building a unique community of artists, entrepreneurs, educators and leaders.”
The sponsorship includes a $10,000 gift by North City as it remains supportive of a growing arts region. The money will go to continuing to fulfill A&L’s mission of bringing high-quality entertainment and thought-provoking speakers to campus.
Most events are free to CSUSM students, faculty, staff and alumni. Tickets are generally $5 for everyone else.
The opening event of the fall 2023 season is Monday, Oct. 9. “Chasing Heroine” is the story of how Jeannine Coulter overcame 15 years of addiction and homelessness and turned her life around. Coulter will deliver a talk about her struggles and her recovery journey to becoming a successful fitness entrepreneur, brand builder and host of “Chasing Heroine: An Addiction Recovery Podcast.”
“We hope to see a lot of attendees at these events, as this semester’s lineup is phenomenal and so impactful, one to remember for years to come,” said Gina Jones, Arts & Lectures program planner.
The season also features a talk about the power of compassion to transform our world by Thupten Jinpa, one of the foremost experts on compassion and the top English translator for the Dalai Lama since 1985.
Arts & Lectures events are designed to enhance, enrich and expand the learning opportunities of CSUSM students and the surrounding community.
The program is funded mostly by sponsorships and ticket sales, with some support from the university. Gifts like the one from North City are critical to help A&L fulfill its role as a leader in arts and educational outreach for the San Marcos community.
“Each of CSUSM's events are top caliber and provide their own brand of inspiration,” Tenn said. “This coming program covers everything from personal life lessons to explorations in world music. We love the balance it creates, adjacent to North City's own weekly farmers' market and live music events, craft artisan events, and the annual Belgian Waffle Ride.”
CSUSM arts professor Lucy HG Solomon will moderate SWANS: Slow War Against the Nuclear State next month. It’s a panel discussion about the legacy of more than 2,000 nuclear weapon tests and the two atomic bombs dropped on Japan, and how those events have had profound global effects.
While the monetary amount can be considered a donation by North City, it’s more of an investment that stands to benefit both giver and recipient. And perhaps the unit that benefits most from the gesture is the arts community on and around campus.
“North City and CSUSM are growing together,” Tenn said. “As a rising downtown for San Marcos and North County San Diego, North City has a mission that's embedded in the enrichment of local culture and community through not only providing a range of businesses and amenities, but also public art, social and community events, and supporting local nonprofits like the Boys & Girls Club of San Marcos and Project Next. North City's aspiration of a vibrant community naturally aligns with CSUSM's efforts to give artists, musicians, educators and storytellers an avenue to share their messages.”
Media Contact
Eric Breier, Public Affairs Specialist
ebreier@csusm.edu | Office: 760-750-7314