October 19, 2006

The James Irvine Foundation Launches Arts Regional Initiative with $4 Million in Grants to 12 Southern California Arts Institutions

Grants to Regional, Midsized Arts Institutions in Inland Empire, Orange County, and San Diego County Aim to Broaden and Diversify Audiences

San Francisco — The James Irvine Foundation today announced the launch of the Arts Regional Initiative with more than $4 million in grants to 12 arts institutions outside California’s major urban areas. These organizations provide access to quality arts programming, but many are vulnerable to government and private funding cutbacks. Through this initiative, they are focusing on financial sustainability, growth capacity, and increasing audience participation from diverse communities.

“Midsized arts organizations have been particularly vulnerable to funding cuts from traditional sources,” noted James E. Canales, Irvine’s CEO and President. “Our initiative partners are developing innovative ways to expand and diversify their audiences, which we hope can serve as models for regional arts institutions everywhere.”

The organizations represent a mix of artistic disciplines, with four museums, three symphonies, two theaters, one opera company, one dance organization, and one community music organization. The complete list of grantees in the Arts Regional Initiative follows:

Future phases of this multiyear initiative are planned for other regions of the state, including the Central Valley, Los Angeles County, and the Central Coast.

About The James Irvine Foundation

The James Irvine Foundation is a private, nonprofit grantmaking foundation dedicated to expanding opportunity for the people of California to participate in a vibrant, inclusive, and successful society. The Foundation’s grantmaking is organized around three program areas: Arts, Youth, and California Perspectives, which focuses on improving decision-making on the significant issues that are shaping California’s future. Since 1937 the Foundation has provided more than $900 million in grants to nonprofit organizations throughout California. With current assets of more than $1.7 billion, the Foundation expects to make grants of $69 million in 2006 for the people of California.

For more information about the Irvine Foundation, please visit our Web site at www.irvine.org or call 415.777.2244.