The creative industry has long been a resilient and entrepreneurial community. Since the early days of Santa Cruz’s founding, the community came together to learn and promote the arts. The first organization, the Society of Decorative Arts, was founded in 1885 to promote art in Santa Cruz through classes and the creation of a depot to display and sell art. This led to the creation of the Woman’s Exchange in 1891, and the Santa Cruz Art League in 1919.

The Arts Council, Santa Cruz County, headquartered in The Tannery Arts Center, has been a leader in arts promotion and the business of art for over 35 years. They pioneered the Open Studios Art Tour, which has been emulated by arts organizations across the country.

This affinity for the arts was further bolstered by the creation of UC Santa Cruz in 1965. The creative community responded to the first class of 650 students by opening businesses to serve these new intellectuals, dreamers and artists. Many students choose to stay in Santa Cruz after graduation. Fueled by the atmosphere of a small, liberal-arts college amongst the redwoods above the city, they become the next wave of creative professionals.