Article Launched: 08/17/2006 12:00:00 AM PDT

By ALAN SHECKTER - Buzz Editor

Chico City Council recently finalized approval of 13 Chico individuals and groups to receive a total of $107,000 in arts grants for the 2006-2007 fiscal year.

Chico Art Center was the biggest recipient, at $15,906.

Mary Gardner, the city's art projects coordinator, said Monday the allocated money comes from local motel taxes. Gardner said in its current setup, 30 percent of that tax goes to arts, tourism and economic development. Thirty percent of that 30 percent, or 9 percent overall, goes to the arts. An expense of $30,000 for "administrative costs" also had to be absorbed.

"The Arts Commission did express some concern that such a large amount was going to administration," Gardner said.

The process of choosing grants, which are actually dished out in reimbursements rather than up-front payments, begins in April, said Gardner. Local organizations submit applications to the arts commission, which makes its recommendations and forwards them to City Council, which typically approves those recommendations.

2006-2007 City Council allocations

1) Established Arts Organizations

1078 Gallery Inc. -- $9,458

Blue Room Theatre (Chico Creek Theater Festival) -- $15,730

Chico Art Center -- $15,906

Ensemble Theatre of Chico -- $12,520

Friends of the Arts -- $11,231

Friends of the Chico Community Ballet -- $11,917

2) Emerging Arts Organizations

Chico Cabaret -- $6,937

Chico Children's Choir -- $7,200

3) Arts Programs with Nonprofit Fiscal Receiver

Crux Artists Collective -- $5,922

North State Symphony -- $5,530

4) Mini-Grants for Artists

DNA -- $1,000

Christine C. Jennings -- $2,000

Mabrie Ormes -- $2,000

Total $107,351