VERNON – New Democrat MLA Harwinder Sandhu says strengthened support from the BC NDP government will help local artists and art organizations in the North Okanagan recover from the impacts of the pandemic.

“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 MLA Sandhu. “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.”

Five organizations in the North Okanagan will be benefitting from this recovery funding. 

This funding to local artists and organizations comes from more than $12.4 million in one-time funding to the BC Arts Council. The BC Arts Council will distribute $7.9 million in resilience supplements to over 300 organizations currently receiving operating assistance.  These grants recognize the impact the pandemic has had on sector organizations. Grants will range from $15,000 to $60,000. Additionally, BC Arts Council will direct $4.5 million to top up the Arts Impact Grant program.  Arts Impact Grants enables applicants to prioritize what activity or activities will provide the greatest and most meaningful impact to their organization, practice and/or community. 

This grant program signals a new focus on flexibility, equity, inclusion and diversity in how the BC Arts Council supports arts and culture organizations. Funding is available to organizations and collectives with an arts and culture mandate and/or offering dedicated arts and culture programming, including non-profit organizations and Indigenous governments and community organizations. 

Learn More:  

To learn more about these grants and see the list of recipients, visit: https://news.gov.bc.ca/releases/2022TACS0010-000473