Arts grants support Scenic Rim's wealth of talent

Tamborine Mountain ceramicist Larissa Warren, who encourages other creatives to apply for RADF funding.

Scenic Rim ceramic artist Larissa Warren continues to reap the rewards of a 2020 Regional Arts Development Fund (RADF) grant and encourages other creatives to apply for funding to help get their projects off the drawing board.

Applications are now open for RADF grants to help Scenic Rim artists, cultural workers and creatives bring their innovative projects to life through a program which promotes the value of arts, culture and heritage in local communities.

Scenic Rim's Community Arts and Culture Portfolio Councillor Kerri Cryer said a total of $60,000 was available in the 2024-2025 RADF program under three funding categories for a wide range of projects and initiatives.

"RADF grants are a partnership between Council and the Queensland Government and add value to our region by supporting the wealth of talent in the Scenic Rim's creative community," she said.

"The Scenic Rim continues to gain recognition as a centre of creativity and RADF grants offer wide-ranging benefits for our arts practitioners as well as the wider community."

Grants of up to $10,000 are available in the Big Ideas category for projects which address at least one of the four categories of: valuing young people, supporting local artists, supporting First Nations artists and enhancing the Scenic Rim's towns and villages. 

To help aspiring artists aged 16 to 25 in their arts practice and help get their projects off the ground, Council is offering Launch Pad grants of up to $1,000 for a wide range of materials, development opportunities and resources.

Express Lane Quick Response Grants are available for professional development opportunities for local artists or cultural workers with grants of up to $1500 for seminars, conferences or masterclasses.

The RADF grant awarded to Tamborine Mountain ceramicist Larissa Warren in 2020 for her Wild Women, Wild Clay project supported her research of the use of local clays by the Mountain's female potters from the 1950s and 1960s.

"I've now found over 20 different clays on the Mountain," she said.

Larissa will be presenting a new body of work in the Here and Now: Gold Coast Triennial opening on Saturday 28 September at HoTA, the Home of the Arts Gold Coast.

"The recognition Larissa Warren has received for her work, and for the Scenic Rim, illustrates the value of RADF grants to our community," Cr Cryer said.

Minister for the Arts Leeanne Enoch said the Regional Arts Development Fund (RADF) will continue to boost arts and cultural experiences in communities across Queensland with combined funding of more than $5 million in 2024-2025.

“The Miles Government’s increased investment in RADF to $2.42 million will enhance the successful, long-term partnership with local councils, who will also grow their contribution to $2.66 million – a total boost of almost $1 million on last year,” Minister Enoch said.   

“Each year RADF projects involve more than 500,000 Queenslanders, activating spaces and places, sharing stories and strengthening communities, which are key priorities of the Government’s Creative Together 2020-2030 roadmap. 

“The Miles Government is doing what matters, supporting access to arts and culture, no matter where you live in Queensland. This commitment ensures programs like RADF will continue to support communities across Queensland to prepare for the opportunities presented by the 2032 Brisbane Olympic and Paralympic Games,” the Minister said.

Visit the creativescenicrim.com website for details of the RADF grant application process.