San Luis Obispo may see a boost in tourism now that the San Luis Obispo Art Center is officially renamed the San Luis Obispo Museum of Art.

"This change makes it easier for tourists to understand that there might be something more here than just small-town charm," said San Luis Obispo Chamber of Commerce President Dave Garth. "Art museums are a big draw for a lot of people, and this just adds another level of sophistication to San Luis Obispo."

Art is a major attraction for tourists, and art museums generate a large amount of economic activity. For example, the combined economic impacts of the direct operations of the Columbia Museum of Art and the spending by museum visitors generated almost $23 million in economic activity in the Columbia Metropolitan area for 2008, according to a study conducted by economic and financial consulting firm Miley Gallo & Associates.

By a landslide public vote, the art organization known for more than 50 years, first as the San Luis Obispo Art Association and then as the San Luis Obispo Art Center, is now to be called the San Luis Obispo Museum of Art.

The local development is credited to the collective vision and talent of the organization's early members as well as thousands of members and supporters along the way. More than 125 ideas flowed in, and the three that were most often suggested were put to a vote, with San Luis Obispo Museum of Art as the clear choice. 

The James Irvine Foundation’s Arts Regional Initiative grant awarded to the Art Center last year is funding the work by iii Design to design marketing materials and a new website that will represent the unchanged mission and special qualities of the Art Center as it becomes known as the San Luis Obispo Museum of Art.

"We are very excited that we’ve reached this point in our history and are looking forward to unveiling the new look that will explain and promote us,” says Joseph Timmons, San Luis Obispo Art Center board president.