Twenty-nine local arts and heritage groups in Kelowna will share a total of $175,000 in operating and program grants from the city this year.
The city’s recreation and cultural services department has awarded a total of $100,000 in operating grants to 16 groups after 22 organizations appliedfor a total of $192,000.
The 2013 grants, which range from $5,000 to $12,000, include $12,000 for the Central Okanagan Heritage Society, and $10,000 each for Okanagan Historical Society, the Bumbershoot Children’s Theatre and Viva Musica.
The grants help non-profit groups with day-to-day operating costs.
To be eligible, the groups must show financial need, have a mandate focused on arts, culture and heritage and show their services are open to the public and have community engagement and impact.
In addition to the operating grants, the city is also giving 13 local groups a total of $65,000 to help pay for upcoming projects. The 13 were whittled down from the 17 groups that applied for project grants this year.
Of the 13, nine sought funding for new projects, including $10,000 for the Cathedral Church of St. Michaels and All Angels for a series of events in May and June to celebrate the centennial of the cathedral and and $8,000 to the Okanagan Chinese Canadian Association for a Asian heritage month display in May. Two other large large rants, $10,000 for the Centre Culturel Francophone de L’Okanagan for Maple Fest, celebration of Francophone culture held in March and $9,500 to the Okanagan Rainbow Coalition for the annual week-long Okanagan Pride Festival in August, were also awarded, along with smaller grant ranging from $800 to $5,500 for nine other projects.
To be eligible for project grants from the city, organizations have to be “unique” and viable and demonstrate community support through matching funding. Groups can only get city project grants for three consecutive years and the maximum amount is $10,000.
