Arts Groups Win Two-Year Grants

A number of San Fernando Valley arts organizations will receive two-year grants from the County Arts Commission, it was announced Friday.

The commission will distribute $1.9 million in grants this year to nonprofit groups throughout Los Angeles, Los Angeles County Supervisor Zev Yaroslavsky said.

The Valley area recipients include the Autry Museum of Western Heritage in Griffith Park, which will receive $22,862; Glendale’s Alex Theatre, which will receive $12,761; and the Burbank Chamber Orchestra, which will receive $11,276.

The Deaf West Theatre in North Hollywood was awarded $14,031, and the Theatre of Hope for Abused Women, also in North Hollywood, was awarded $7,080.

Other Valley arts organizations to receive smaller grants include the youth orchestras of Cal State Northridge and the city of Glendale, the San Fernando Symphony Orchestra, the Valley Cultural Center in Woodland Hills and the Victory Theatre in Burbank.

“This year’s grant recipients offer one of the most diverse and dynamic talent pools that we’ve seen,� Yaroslavsky said. “I’m delighted that we’re able to help them follow their muse in pursuit of new creative endeavors.�

The Los Angeles County Arts Commission, established in 1947, supports the efforts of more than 1,000 area arts organizations as well as individual artists. Its funding comes from the county and is augmented by grants from such organizations as the National Endowment for the Arts and the California Arts Council.

Grant applicants are judged by a peer review panel; theater professionals review the theater grant applicants, while musicians and music administrators review the music applications.

The total amount of grants is up slightly from 1998, partly due to an increase in funding for large arts organizations, said Joel Bellman, a spokesman for Yaroslavsky.