Arts District Liberty Station Celebrates 25 Years With $250K Campaign

Arts District Liberty Station is marking its 25th anniversary with “Creating, Connecting, Celebrating – 25 Years and Growing,” a yearlong campaign aiming to raise $250,000 to support programs focused on public art, arts education, grants for tenants and community partners, and creative activations of the campus.

If you’ve been watching San Diego’s arts scene evolve over the past quarter century, Arts District Liberty Station has been at the center of that transformation – and they’re celebrating by investing in what comes next.

Arts District Liberty Station Celebrates 25 Years With $250K Campaign

What’s Happening

The campaign runs through May 2026 and will reach new audiences through events, storytelling, and digital engagement opportunities. It culminates with a community-centered gala on April 30, 2026, honoring the artists, educators, community, and civic leaders who’ve shaped Arts District Liberty Station over two and a half decades.

Lisa Johnson, President & CEO, frames it well:

“For 25 years, Arts District Liberty Station has been a canvas for creativity and a place where art, community, and culture intersect. This milestone celebrates our history and invites the next generation of artists and supporters to continue building the legacy of our future.”

The Context Behind the Celebration

The campaign arrives right after the completion of The Joan and Irwin Jacobs Performing Arts Center (The Joan) in September 2025.

The $43.5 million project, done in partnership with Cygnet Theatre, transformed historic Naval Building 178 into a world-class performance venue with two state-of-the-art theaters and the only freestanding live performance space on the Arts District campus.

Since 2000, Arts District Liberty Station has overseen 26 historic buildings in the former Naval Training Center and transformed 18 of those into a vibrant cultural district – now home to more than 120 museums, galleries, studios, and nonprofits.

That’s San Diego’s largest arts campus, and the growth has been intentional rather than accidental.

Arts District Liberty Station 25th anniversary

What’s Coming Throughout the Campaign

Audiences can expect community events, the “25 Stories for 25 Years” digital series, a Giving Tuesday challenge, a Founders’ Brunch, and the culminating April 30th celebration – a festival-style evening of live performances, art activations, and donor recognition.

James Halliday, Vice President & Chief Advancement Officer, explains the focus:

“This milestone is about more than looking back – it’s about continuing to grow alongside the community that built us. We’re focused on what’s next: expanding access to opportunities for working artists, increasing exposure to the arts for local youth, ensuring that Arts District Liberty Station continues to thrive as a regional hub for the creative economy – a space where creativity and connection are accessible for all.”

Beyond the Anniversary

Future projects include The Admiral, which will transform seven acres and five buildings into a public art garden and restaurant concept. This landmark project is led by Ryan Thorsen, who spearheaded the transformation of Mister A’s in Banker’s Hill.

New public art installations, expanded education initiatives, and continued redevelopment keep the momentum going beyond just celebrating 25 years.