Arts grants help get big ideas off the drawing board

A ritual installation and performance artwork by Sri Lankan-born Beechmont artist Kuweni Dias Mendis will use movement, marks and voice to speak to the multicultural influence of contemporary Australia.

Members of Scenic Rim's creative community will share in more than $56,000 in grants that will help get their big ideas off the drawing board.

At its Ordinary Meeting this week, Scenic Rim Regional Council allocated $56,069 under the Big Ideas Round of the 2023-2024 Regional Arts Development Fund (RADF) to six projects with a total value of more than $234,000.

Mayor Tom Sharp said that while members of Tamborine Mountain's creative community were well represented in the grants allocations their projects would enrich the cultural life of the wider Scenic Rim region.

"Ranging from visual and performing arts to music and film, the successful projects represent an excellent return on investment for the community, Council and Council's RADF funding partner, Arts Queensland," he said.

"Council is grateful for the Queensland Government's contribution of $41,475 through Arts Queensland, matched by Council's contribution of $30,500, which supports arts, cultural and heritage projects.

"Projects funded in this round have focused on supporting First Nations artists, valuing young people, supporting local artists or enhancing our towns and villages."

Minister for the Arts Leeanne Enoch said the Queensland Government’s successful, long-term partnership with local governments through the Regional Arts Development Fund (RADF) supports the delivery of hundreds of arts experiences, employment opportunities and capacity building for arts and cultural workers across the state.

“As part of our ongoing commitment to strengthen local communities and drive economic outcomes through arts and culture, the Queensland Government has provided $2.184 million for RADF 2023-24 to 59 local councils who have contributed a co-investment of $1.979 million,” Minister Enoch said.

“The Queensland Government’s Creative Together 2020-2030 roadmap prioritises activation of Queensland’s places and spaces and arts engagement that drives positive change for Queensland communities. Projects funded through RADF support communities to share stories and creativity, provide important pathways for learning and connection, and boost local creative economies and tourism.”

RADF funding will enable the Tamborine Mountain Arts Collective to present an arts trail from Tamborine Mountain to Canungra, with open studios providing a window into the creative world of artists and artisans and showcasing the region as a leading arts destination.

A film project by Ryan Gittoes will capture the remarkable journey of the award-winning Mountain Mates disability support service on Tamborine Mountain, which celebrates the positive impact of inclusion and the power of community support and solidarity.

Inspired by the Scenic Rim's Back Creek/Coomera River area, a ritual installation and performance artwork by Sri Lankan-born Beechmont artist Kuweni Dias Mendis will use movement, marks and voice to speak to the multicultural influence of contemporary Australia.

Through pop-up concerts and a new music theatre work, Florence, adapted from Helen O'Neill's internationally acclaimed and award-winning book, Florence Broadhurst, Her Secret and Extraordinary Lives, will be brought to life by actor and writer Elise Greig in partnership with Voices FTP and local artists including Margy Rose.

RADF funding will provide local musicians Global Assets with access to a professional studio to record and launch their first EP and stage a series of public performances of their music.

William Smith's music project will feature First Nations musician Russell Smith as the host of monthly performance and question and answer sessions with local musicians and artists in collaboration with Tamborine Mountain Library with the additional aim of increasing interaction in the library space.

Division 1 Councillor Amanda Hay said the RADF projects highlighted the wealth of talent in the Scenic Rim.

"Whilst none of the grants recipients received the full amount they were seeking, they were all awarded a significant amount, enabling the limited funds available to be shared more equitably among the applicants," she said. 

"All of the projects were assessed by the Scenic Rim Arts Reference Group against RADF program criteria and Arts Queensland's arts, culture and creativity strategy, Creative Together 2022-2030."