Very little of the $50 million allocated for arts funding in the recent federal economic stimulus package made it to San Diego arts groups via the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA). The San Diego Union Tribune’s Nancy Gao reported last week that a mere $75,000 was awarded to two local organizations, compared with $1.4 million to San Francisco groups and just over $1 million to Los Angeles groups.

“We were all quite stunned,” said Hugh Davies, director of the Museum of Contemporary Art San Diego. “The NEA historically has been very careful about geographical distribution of resources. That’s one of their hallmarks.”

The NEA received 19 applications from San Diego organizations, and Davies’ museum was among those that were turned down. The museum has received millions from the NEA in the past.

Also rejected was an application from the San Diego Commission for Arts and Culture for $200,000 to help local organizations survive the recession.

Read the complete article and breakdown of California arts stimulus spending on the UT site, SignOnSan Diego.