Powerhouse Theatrical Society was one of the recipients of the Community Gaming Grants (File photo by Liam Verster / Vernon Matters)

By Liam Verster

Almost $80K for Vernon Organizations

Gaming grants supporting arts and culture in Vernon, Okanagan

Aug 28, 2025 | 12:58 PM

The province is investing in not-for-profit organizations that provide arts and culture programming locally and regionally.

The Community Gaming Grants recipients were announced Thursday, Aug. 28, outlining that a total of $79,700 was going to support programming in Vernon.

• West Coast Book Prize Society – $38,500
• Powerhouse Theatrical Society – $25,000
• Sadok Ukrainian Dance Ensemble of Vernon – $7,000
• North Okanagan Artists Alternative – $5,000
• Vernon Concert Band Society – $2,000
• Okanagan Screen Arts Society – $1,200
• North Okanagan Valley Orchestra Society – $1,000

The funds being provided to Vernon-based organizations were part of the more than $16.6-million going to support a range of programs across B.C., including many within the Okanagan

• Enderby
  • Chop Theatre Society $8,000
• Lumby
  • Charles Bloom Secondary School Parent Advisory Council – $15,340
  • Monashee Arts Council – $5,000
• Lake Country
  • Lake Country Art Gallery Society – $35,000
• Kelowna
  • Okanagan Society of Independent Filmmaking – $4,500
  • Kelowna City Concert Band Society – $8,000
  • The Festivals and Special Events Development Society of Kelowna – $25,000
  • Centre Culturel Francophone de l’Okanagan – $40,000
  • Inspired Word Cafe Society – $5,500
  • Opera Kelowna Society – $23,900
  • Okanagan Artists Alternative Association – $35,000
  • Kelowna Ballet Society – $46,800
  • Kelowna Community Music Society – $30,000
  • Flex Academy Parent Advisory Council -$3,580
  • The Okanagan Festival Singers – $11,000
  • Central Okanagan Performing Arts Festival Society – $18,000
  • Springvalley Elementary Schol PAC – $5,860
• Peachland
  • Peachland Fall Fair – $2,500
  • Peachland Community Arts Council – $4,100
  • Okanagan Folk School Society – $7,500
• Summerland
  • Summerland Museum & Archives – $7,500
  • Ryga Festival Society – $17,200
  • Summerland Community Arts Council – $24,500
  • Summerland Fall Fair Society – $7,500
• Penticton
  • Ha Ha Ha Kidz Fest Society – $7,500
  • Pentastic Jazz Festival – $28,000
  • Penticton Scottish Festival Society – $6,000
  • Penticton Academy of Music Society – $20,000
  • Penticton Peach Festival Society – $16,500
• Salmon Arm
  • Shuswap Association of Writers – $4,500
  • Shuswap Theatre Society – $8,000
  • Salmon Arm Museum and Heritage Association – $39,500
  • Salmon Arm Folk Music Society – $45,000
  • Shuswap District Arts Council – $35,500
• Revelstoke
  • Revelstoke Arts Council – $25,000
  • B.C. Interior Forestry Museum Society – $23,500

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“Community Gaming Grants support programs and services throughout B.C. that contribute to quality of life, respond to local needs and help build vibrant, inclusive communities,” Anne Kang, Minister of Tourism, Arts, Culture and Sport, stated.

“By supporting the delivery of arts and cultural activities, we are increasing access to experiences that make a positive difference in people’s lives, while also fostering opportunities to build community connections.”

The Community Gaming Grants program is funded from the commercial gambling industry.

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