The La Jolla community has a new online resource anyone can use to discover, and eventually contribute to, the arts and cultural scene of San Diego’s jewel. Political representatives and the leaders of some of San Diego’s foremost arts, cultural and philanthropic organizations gathered Oct. 13 to celebrate the launch of Art + Culture | La Jolla, a new website sponsored by Nancy Warwick, owner of Warwick’s bookstore, 7812 Girard Ave. The website should “deepen the community awareness” of the local arts and cultural scene, she said. With the help of web designer Nancy Bockoven, Warwick said the site, www.ArtCultureLa Jolla.com, has the potential to become an online community where artists, students, bloggers and art consumers can contribute and network. Subscribers can also sign up for an e-mailed newsletter. “We hope that Art Plus Culture La Jolla will become a defining part of our community’s identity, spirit and vision,” Warwick said. Along with a veritable Who’s Who of La Jolla artistic organization representatives, San Diego County District 3 Supervisor Pam Slater-Price and District 1 City Councilwoman Sherri Lightner also attended the launch party. Executives from organizations such as La Jolla Symphony & Chorus, Ellen Browning Scripps Foundation, La Jolla Playhouse, the San Diego Foundation, the San Diego Center for Jewish Culture, Birch Aquarium, Athenaeum Music and Arts Library, La Jolla Historical Society, the Stuart Collection at UCSD and several others have been meeting periodically to plan the website’s launch and overall direction, said Doug Dawson, executive director of the Ellen Browning Scripps Foundation. He said much of the leadership on the project remains “invested” in the community project. “We want to keep the [arts and culture movement] alive and well in any economic environment,” he said. “With this [website], everyone can be a player and it’s in everyone’s best interest.” Hoping to appeal to the philanthropic side of La Jollans to donate “time, treasure or talent,” organizers want to eventually reach out to local schools to create internship opportunities, web-based reporting and blogging tied to the local arts scene, Dawson said. Five high school students have already contacted Warwick to contribute, she said. As schools continue to cut arts programs budgets, Slater-Price said the community needs to be diligent in providing access for students to engage in and learn about the performing arts. See the site or send submissions: [email protected].