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Provincial funds to boost North Okanagan art scene

Five local organizations received funding to aid their recovery from the pandemic
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Vernon-Monashee MLA Harwinder Sandhu visited the Vernon Public Art Galley ahead of a provincial funding announcement on April 1, 2022, which will see the gallery receive more than $25,000 for recovery from the pandemic. (Jennifer Smith - Morning Star)

Provincial funding is on the way to artists and organizations in the North Okanagan who are recovering from the impacts of the pandemic.

Five North Okanagan organizations will benefit from the recovery funding. The Arts Council of the North Okanagan and Greater Vernon Museum and Archives will each receive $24,000; the Vernon Public Art Gallery will receive $25,600; the Okanagan Screen Arts Society gets $15,670; and the Caetani Cultural Centre Society was awarded $30,000.

“We are so lucky in the North Okanagan to have arts and culture organizations and museums that do such incredible work engaging and enriching our communities,” said Harwinder Sandhu, NDP MLA for Vernon-Monashee. “And I’m grateful that our government is there to support them with regular funding as they recover from the impacts of the pandemic. I’ve recently visited the Vernon Public Art Galley with my colleagues, and have visited the museum as an MLA and with my children. I look forward to visiting again soon.”

The financial boost comes from more than $12.4 million in one-time funding to the BC Arts Council, which will distribute $7.9 million to more than 300 organizations currently receiving operating assistance. The grants are all in the range of $15,000 to $60,000.

Additionally, the BC Arts Council will use $4.5 million to top up the Arts Impact Grant program, which enables applicants to prioritize activities that will most benefit their organization and community.

Funding is available to organizations and collectives with an arts and culture mandate or those offering dedicated arts and culture programming, including non-profit organizations and Indigenous governments and community organizations.

To see the full list of grant recipients, click here.

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Brendan Shykora
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Brendan Shykora

About the Author: Brendan Shykora

I started as a carrier at the age of 8. In 2019 graduated from the Master of Journalism program at Carleton University.
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