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.

含羞草研究社淭hrough Community Gaming Grants, the province is helping organizations like Arts Umbrella to reach more people through their work,含羞草研究社� said Anne Kang, Minister of Municipal Affairs. 含羞草研究社淔rom 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.含羞草研究社�

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.

含羞草研究社淭he 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,含羞草研究社� said Harwinder Sandhu, MLA for Vernon-Monashee. 含羞草研究社淭he 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.含羞草研究社�

Other North Okanagan recipients:

含羞草研究社� O含羞草研究社橩eefe Ranch and Interior Heritage Society, $35,000;

含羞草研究社� Coldstream Interior Highland Dancing Association of BC, $6,000;

含羞草研究社� Lumby Monashee Arts Council, $5,000;

含羞草研究社� Vernon Songs For Seniors, $5,500;

含羞草研究社� Vernon Sadok Ukrainian Dance Ensemble,$7,000;

含羞草研究社� Okanagan Screen Arts Society, $20,000;

含羞草研究社� Greater Vernon Museum and Archives Society,$28,500;

含羞草研究社� Powerhouse Theatrical Society,$25,000;

含羞草研究社� Vernon Winter Carnival Society, $38,500;

含羞草研究社� Okanagan Military Tattoo Society, 27,500;

含羞草研究社� Caetani Cultural Centre Society, $8,300;

含羞草研究社� Arts Council of the North Okanagan,$15,000;

含羞草研究社� Caravan Farm Theatre Society, 27,500;

含羞草研究社� Falkland Historical Society, $2,850.