$77,105 IN ARTS GRANTS TO 18 COUNTY GROUPS

Matching grants totaling $77,105 have been awarded to 18 nonprofit arts organizations in Los Angeles County by the National/State/County Partnership. The partnership draws its funds from the National Endowment for the Arts, the California Arts Council and the County Board of Supervisors.

This is the second time that grants have been awarded since the partnership’s formation at the beginning of last year. Matching grants awarded in July totaled $109,754. “We were able to give away $100,000 the first time because of a surplus that had built up,� said program manager Lee Werbel. “It was understood that the amount of money would decline unless the grants were renewed at a higher level.�

The program was developed, she said, to address the needs of “the emerging low-budget experimental organizations that have little or no access to funding. We’re trying to get the other 83 cities in the county (in addition to Los Angeles) to support the arts. Since Prop. 13 was passed, few have taken up the ball. Some cities used (Prop.) 13 as a way out, as a way not to be involved with the arts.�

Recipients of this round of matching grants, which range from $1,200 to $7,000, are: Baroque Consortium, Bilingual Foundation of the Arts, Cactus Foundation, Cast Theatre, Company Theatre Foundation, Ensemble Studio Theatre, Filmforum, Formation Dance Foundation, Jazz Dancers, L.A. Jazz Choir, Long Beach Bach Festival and Vocal Arts Ensemble, Los Angeles Chamber Ballet, Los Angeles Choreographers and Dancers, Museum of African American Arts, New Victory Theatre, Pipeline Inc., Theater of NOTE and West Coast Ensemble.

Nonprofit arts organizations operating in the county are eligible for consideration for the matching grants, which are dispersed twice annually. Individual artists must be represented by an organization to be considered. Deadline for application the next set of grants, to be awarded in July, is March 3.

Information: (213) 974-1317.