California Arts Council Announces Awarding of Grants Worth $672,500

The California Arts Council has approved 16 1997-98 California Challenge Program grants totaling $672,500.

Among the organizations receiving the grants, which are given to groups with budgets of at least $100,000, are public radio station KCRW-FM ($70,000), Pasadena’s Armory Center for the Arts ($27,500), the Museum of Jurassic Technology ($25,000) and the Fine Arts Museums of San Francisco ($25,000).

The state arts council has also awarded nearly 600 1997-98 Organizational Support Program grants aimed at encouraging the artistic and administrative development, stability and vitality of California arts groups.

Although some of the grants are sizable--such as $73,475 for South Coast Repertory, $87,185 for Center Theatre Group/Mark Taper Forum, $149,464 for L.A. Philharmonic and $68,343 for L.A.’s Museum of Contemporary Art--most were much smaller. They include $2,000 each for San Diego Ballet, Avaz International Dance Theatre, Beyond Baroque Literary Arts Center, Grupo De Teatro Sinergia and the California Bach Society.