Stein takes Arts O.C.’s helm

Richard Stein, who led the Laguna Playhouse as executive director for 17 years, began a new job this week as point man for all of the arts in Orange County: executive director of Arts Orange County, a nonprofit service and advocacy agency based in Santa Ana.

He succeeds Bonnie Brittain Hall, who led the organization, with a $650,000 annual budget, since its founding 15 years ago and will continue as a consultant through September.

While Arts Orange County runs the annual Imagination Celebration family arts festival and an annual awards program, it has failed to marshal the funding needed to turn it into a grant-making force such as government-funded agencies in L.A., San Diego and Long Beach.

Stein said Thursday that part of his agenda will be to push for government aid to the arts.

-- M.B.