The California Arts Council has given the...

The California Arts Council has given the Santa Ana-based St. Joseph Ballet its top ranking of 4, up from 3-plus last year. The company, which gives dance instruction to low-income inner-city children, is seeking $25,245 in state arts money. Last year it received $3,426. The state council also awarded Ballet Pacifica a 2-plus rating in the Laguna Beach-based company’s first CAC grant application. The company requested $20,000. The council uses the rankings to determine amounts of organizational grants, which will be decided on Sept. 8. Groups ranked below 3-minus usually do not receive CAC money.