Countywide : Arts Council Cuts Grant to Theater

South Coast Repertory theater’s annual operating grant from the California Arts Council has been reduced by nearly $20,000, from $96,278 to $76,797, a council spokeswoman said Thursday.

A total of $175,708 in grants to four Orange County organizations was announced by the council. The other three organizations--the Newport Harbor Art Museum, the Pacific Symphony and Opera Pacific--all received larger grants than last year. A total of $2.9 million was awarded to 34 groups statewide.

Council officials were unavailable to explain why South Coast Repertory’s grant was cut, and theater officials were unavailable for comment. The council evaluated the organizations on artistic and administrative strengths, and educational and community outreach efforts.

Opera Pacific was awarded $42,466, up from $25,059 last year. Pacific Symphony was granted $35,550, up from $27,602, and the Newport Harbor Art Museum, whose grant had tumbled from nearly $60,000 in 1989 to $18,959 last year, received $20,895.