GREATER PALM SPRINGS CONVENTION & VISITORS BUREAU AND LA QUINTA ARTS FOUNDATION ANNOUNCE THE CREATION OF THE
CALIFORNIA DESERT ARTS COUNCIL (CDAC)

The newly formed CDAC will work to promote, grow and professionalize the local arts community

(Rancho Mirage, CA) May 19, 2015— As the official tourism agency for the Coachella Valley, the Greater Palm Springs Convention & Visitors Bureau (CVB) recognizes that the destination’s world-class cultural assets are key to tourism growth and the local economy. The CVB has taken an active role in promoting the creative sector through artsOasis, an alliance that was formed in 2013. This week, the CVB has taken the next big step to ensure that the arts community continues to drive tourism and spur the local economy. The California Desert Arts Council (CDAC) has been formed in partnership with La Quinta Arts Foundation (LQAF), a 33-year nonprofit with a mission of promoting and cultivating the arts.

“As envisioned by La Quinta Arts Foundation (LQAF) founders, the Coachella Valley's rich heritage and natural resources have been a magnet for creative pursuits, leading to the diverse offerings we have today,” said Christi Salamone, LQAF Executive Director. “LQAF is privileged to join with the CVB in greater service to the arts and culture community to secure and grow the vital creative economy.”

The CDAC will seek to promote, grow and professionalize the arts community, leverage cultural assets and influence arts and culture organizations, individual artists and educational institutions in order to foster artistic excellence. The CDAC will serve as the unified voice to identify, aggregate and communicate arts and culture activities, delivering a uniquely branded Greater Palm Springs message.

According to the “2013 Economic Impact Report on Tourism” commissioned by the CVB, the creative community contributes more than $1 billion annually to the local economy.  On a national level, a 2009 market research study commissioned by the U.S. Department of Commerce revealed that 78% of all U.S. leisure travelers participate in cultural activities while traveling, translating to 118.3 million adults each year.

“The work of artsOasis and subsequent CVB-led focus groups identified many opportunities to better leverage existing and future cultural assets through enhanced collaboration, facilitation and advocacy,” said Scott White, President & CEO of the Greater Palm Springs CVB. “Cultural tourism is one of the largest and fastest growing tourism markets globally. We are fortunate to have such a wealth of cultural offerings as well as La Quinta Arts Foundation’s vast knowledge and reach in the arts.”

 

About La Quinta Arts Foundation
Founded in 1982, La Quinta Arts Foundation is a California Non-Profit 501(c)(3) charitable organization dedicated to its mission of “Promoting and Cultivating the Arts.”  La Quinta Arts Foundation produces nationally acclaimed visual and performing art events, forms meaningful community partnerships and provides cultural, education and personal growth outreach opportunities to students, artists, residents and visitors to the Coachella Valley and beyond.

About Greater Palm Springs Convention & Visitors Bureau
The Greater Palm Springs Convention & Visitors Bureau (CVB) is the official tourism agency for the entire Coachella Valley, providing sales, marketing and promotional efforts targeted to potential leisure and convention group markets. The CVB serves more than 1,300 business partners throughout Riverside County’s nine-city region of Palm Springs, Desert Hot Springs, Cathedral City, Rancho Mirage, Palm Desert, Indian Wells, La Quinta, Indio and Coachella.

 

Contact:
Joyce Kiehl
760.969.1338
jkiehl@palmspringsoasis.com