GROUPS GET HIGH GRADES IN BIDS FOR ARTS GRANTS

Two major Orange County arts groups have received final rankings from the California Arts Council in their bids for 1987-88 organizational grants.

On the council’s scale of four, South Coast Repertory was given an overall ranking of “3+,” while Newport Harbor Art Museum was rated a “3,” following last week’s advisory panel reviews of arts grant applicants. The rankings combine assessments of artistic quality, administrative and fiscal strengths and outreach programs.

In general, the higher a group’s rating from the panels, the more money it will receive. Formal approval of the panel recommendations is expected at the Arts Council’s meeting on Aug. 28.

South Coast Repertory Theatre has applied for $140,000 for a new-plays program, touring children’s productions and other community outreach efforts. Last year SCR received a $60,000 grant, compared with $44,800 in 1985.

Newport Harbor Art Museum applied for $115,000 for general operations and outreach programs. But the council staff reduced the request to $103,019 after deducting endowment funds from the museum’s operating budget. Under its accounting system, the council does not recognize endowment funds as part of an operating budget.

Last year Newport Harbor Art Museum received a $35,000 grant, compared with $19,500 in 1985.

The advisory panels do not recommend dollar amounts, but their recommendations are considered crucial because the Arts Council generally follows judgments of the panels. The state agency’s overall 1987-88 budget, $14.5 million, is approximately $1 million more than the previous year.