Couple Seek SCR Grants Data From State Arts Council and NEA

A married couple, who touched off the Costa Mesa arts-funding controversy when they charged South Coast Repertory with using city funds to pay for a flyer urging support of the National Endowment for the Arts, may be taking their beef with the theater company to a higher level.

According to several sources, John and Ernie Feeney have requested and received copies of SCR’s grants from the California Arts Council. And Martin Benson, SCR co-founder and artistic director, said the theater company has been told that the Feeneys also requested and received a copy of SCR’s most recent NEA grant.

The Feeneys could not be reached for comment Tuesday, but a spokeswoman for Assemblyman Nolan Frizzelle (R-Huntington Beach) confirmed that they asked for the legislator’s assistance in obtaining the state documents. Joanne Anglin of the CAC said she received and processed the request about two weeks ago.

Anglin, and Barbara Kling of Frizzelle’s office, both said they have not been contacted by the Feeneys regarding any further action.

“I don’t know what their particular purpose is,” Benson said Tuesday, but he added that he presumes it relates to the pro-NEA flyer. The grant documents are public record, Benson noted: “They’re welcome to wade through it at their leisure.”