By Times-Chronicle Staff

Artists in Osoyoos and Oliver have received BC Arts Council funding to help support their recovery as B.C. emerges from two years of the pandemic.

The province has given more than $12.4 million in one-time funding to the BC Arts Council of which $7.9 million in resilience supplements will be distributed to more than 300 organizations currently receiving operating assistance. 

Both the Osoyoos and District Arts Council and the Oliver Community Arts Council were awarded $16,500 each. Within the region, the Princeton Community Arts Council and the Grand Forks Art Gallery each received $24,000.

New Democrat MLA Roly Russell says strengthened support from the provincial government will help local artists and art organizations in the Similkameen, South Okanagan, and Boundary areas recover from the impacts of the pandemic. 

“The arts help define part of our cultures and community. Helping deliver that, our arts councils and galleries connect us as a community with fantastic events and exhibitions,” said Russell. “I’m happy we’re able to support them through their recovery from COVID-19, and look forward to being back at their events soon.”

Additionally, the BC Arts Council has allocated $4.5 million to top up the Arts Impact Grant program, which closed its intake in January 2022. 

The Arts Impact Grant program enables applicants to prioritize activities that provide the greatest and most meaningful impact on their organization, practice or community. The next intake of this program is anticipated for winter 2023.

The BC Arts Council says the grant program signals a new focus on flexibility, equity, inclusion and diversity in how it supports arts and culture organizations. 

Funding is available to organizations and collectives with an arts and culture mandate or a dedicated arts and culture program. Grants are available to non-profit organizations, Indigenous communities and community organizations. 

The additional $4.5 million boosted the program’s budget to more than $8 million, which has allowed for grants to more than 300 organizations.

According to the province, B.C. has the highest concentration of artists and cultural workers in Canada with the BC Arts Council supporting more than 600 organizations and hundreds of artists and cultural practitioners throughout B.C. The Council’s budget is at a record high of $39.6 million. 

B.C. is also investing nearly $30 million for fairs, festivals and events recovery.