Townsville artists will be able to apply for a share of $100,000 in Regional Arts Development Fund grants through Townsville City Council thanks to the support of Arts Queensland.
The Regional Arts Development Fund (RADF) is a partnership between the Queensland Government and Townsville City Council to support local arts and culture in regional Queensland.
Community and Cultural Development Committee chairperson Ann-Maree Greaney said artists would benefit from Council securing another grant from Arts Queensland.
“Council will receive $50,000 from Arts Queensland for RADF. We will match this, so there will be $100,000 available for distribution through two grant rounds this financial year,” Cr Greaney said.
“RADF is a huge boost to the arts community in Townsville, because it allows local artists to conceptualise, create and showcase their art right here in North Queensland.
“We always have interesting and varied grant submissions for RADF, with everything from visual art to music to theatre represented in RADF grant rounds each year.”
Cr Greaney said Council would open the grant rounds in October 2021 and February 2022.
“Council uses the online platform Smarty Grants to accept applications for each round, which will be advertised ahead of the rounds opening,” she said.
“I’d strongly encourage anyone in Townsville who wants to create a piece of art, a podcast, a theatre show, or anything else in the realm of artistry that will benefit the Townsville community to log on and see if RADF is right for them.
“Council is proud to have received this grant from Arts Queensland and I’m excited to see what successful grant recipients achieve with this funding.”
Minister for the Arts Leeanne Enoch said the Palaszczuk Government is investing $2.08 million through the Regional Arts Development Fund (RADF) in 2021-22, matched with a contribution of approximately $2.3 million from 59 councils across the state.
“RADF is a great example of working together to deliver our COVID-19 economic recovery plan, supporting employment opportunities and creating new arts and cultural experiences in local and regional communities,” Minister Enoch said.
“RADF in 2021–2022 will provide valuable social, health and economic outcomes for regional Queenslanders, and support our Government’s 10-year arts roadmap priorities to strengthen Queensland communities, activate local places, and drive social change across the state.
“Our investment complements the Palaszczuk Government’s wider commitment to regional arts, including continued support of $6 million over four years for the Regional Arts Services Network (RASN).”
For more information on grants, head to townsville.smartygrants.com.au.