The Bellevue City Council approved $110,000 in funding for 31 arts performances, events and activities recommended by the Arts Commission for 2010.

The Commission recommended the funding through two programs: Eastside Arts Partnerships, which supports arts organizations based in Bellevue, and Special Projects, which invites artists and organizations from anywhere to submit proposals for projects in Bellevue.

The Commission was especially encouraged by a record number of Special Projects applications this year.

“We saw some familiar programs,” said Commission Chair Betina Finley. “But at least half were new to us, and that is a good sign of the growing number and diversity of arts offerings we have in Bellevue.”

A special call was made for projects in the Bel-Red area, in locations not typically used for arts installations. Four proposals came in and three were recommended.

The call kicked off a strategy to build an arts community in Bel-Red, where zoning has been changed to allow mixed-use commercial developments.