Young artists are among the people benefiting from an $18.2-million investment in arts and culture programs throughout the province through Community Gaming Grants.
Arts Umbrella, a non-profit centre for arts education with locations in Vancouver, Surrey and South Surrey, received $225,000 to provide free community programming for young artists in dance, theatre, and art and design.
Similar arts-and-culture grants will provide greater community access to a variety of programs at more than 650 organizations across B.C.
North Okanagan groups will receive almost $292,000 in funding.
“Through Community Gaming Grants, the province is helping organizations like Arts Umbrella to reach more people through their work,” said Anne Kang, Minister of Municipal Affairs. “From arts and literature to festivals and museums, B.C. has a thriving arts-and-culture sector that keeps our communities vibrant and healthy. These grants are helping organizations to keep costs down for art students, museum visitors, festival-goers and anybody participating in arts-and-culture activities.”
Grant recipients will deliver programs that preserve and/or provide public access to arts, heritage or culture.
Funding in the North Okanagan ranges from $2,000 to the Vernon Concert Band Society to $76,000 for the Vernon Public Art Gallery.
“The winter season in Vernon is such a great time of the year. Our community gathers for so many great events put on by fantastic organizations,” said Harwinder Sandhu, MLA for Vernon-Monashee. “The Vernon Winter Carnival Society is one such organization and Vernon Winter Carnival event is one of the most amazing events, which we all love and enjoy. I am glad that our government is giving them $38,500 to ensure that the staff and volunteers can continue to bring enjoyment to so many families as they work tirelessly to organize this spectacular carnival.”
Other North Okanagan recipients:
• O’Keefe Ranch and Interior Heritage Society, $35,000;
• Coldstream Interior Highland Dancing Association of BC, $6,000;
• Lumby Monashee Arts Council, $5,000;
• Vernon Songs For Seniors, $5,500;
• Vernon Sadok Ukrainian Dance Ensemble,$7,000;
• Okanagan Screen Arts Society, $20,000;
• Greater Vernon Museum and Archives Society,$28,500;
• Powerhouse Theatrical Society,$25,000;
• Vernon Winter Carnival Society, $38,500;
• Okanagan Military Tattoo Society, 27,500;
• Caetani Cultural Centre Society, $8,300;
• Arts Council of the North Okanagan,$15,000;
• Caravan Farm Theatre Society, 27,500;
• Falkland Historical Society, $2,850.
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