Laguna Museum Given $125,000 Irvine Grant

In recognition of its 75th anniversary this year, the Laguna Art Museum has been awarded $125,000 by the James Irvine Foundation to create pilot outreach programs focusing on ethnic diversity and to upgrade its 10-year-old computer system. The $75,000 portion of the grant earmarked for computer improvement must be matched one-to-one.

In other arts funding news, California Arts Council advisory panels have lowered rankings for two Orange County groups likely to come away empty-handed next month when the council determines grant amounts. Laguna Poets was given a 2+, down from 3 last year, and the Richard Henry Dana Institute for Arts was given a 2, down from 3-. Typically only groups ranked 3- or above win grants.

The Orange County Philharmonic Society kept its 4- on a scale of 1 to 4, the top score.