Arts and culture given a boost in the latest round of funding
Scenic Rim Regional Council has approved funding allocation to eight projects that will contribute to the arts and cultural wellbeing of the Scenic Rim community in the latest round of the Scenic Rim Regional Arts Development Fund (RADF).
The successful applicants reflect the diverse and unique cultural landscape of our region with projects ranging from visual art, theatre and music. They will share the fund that totals $40,020 from the program’s second round of funding for 2020-2021.
Chair of the Scenic Rim Arts Reference Group, Cr Michael Enright said the program promotes the role and value of arts, culture and heritage as key drivers to support diversity and inclusivity in our region.
“The Scenic Rim is full of special talent and this program is our way of celebrating that, and further supporting opportunities to develop the arts," he said.
“The RADF provides pathways for learning, boosts creativity, creates jobs and lifts the spirit of the Scenic Rim.
“We are proud to support projects across the art spectrum that contribute to the shared vision of healthy, engaged and resourceful communities as set out in the Scenic Rim Community Plan."
Local artists and cultural workers could apply for the RADF under the curatorial themes of 'Resilience and Recovery', 'Wellbeing', and 'First Nation People and people from culturally diverse backgrounds'.
Strong support for Wellbeing has been acknowledged in the funding allocations. Among the projects is Tamborine Mountain College who have been allocated funding to run Youth in Arts workshops as part of Artsfest 2021.
Funding will also help support Howard Edmunds to produce a feel-good show filled with best-loved music theatre and opera favourites made popular by Andrea Bocelli. The production ‘Broadway to Bocelli’ will tour the Scenic Rim as well as other parts of Queensland later in the year.
Cultural diversity and First Nation people have been acknowledged with funding allocated to the Boonah District Kindergarten. The grant will be used towards the costs of a permanent Indigenous mural and workshops for students teaching the significance of storytelling.
Minister for the Arts Leeanne Enoch said that the long standing RADF program would help to boost Queensland’s plan for economic recovery, supporting artists and arts workers with employment opportunities through $4.2 million in funding for regional cultural projects.
“The Palaszczuk Government is investing $2.08 million in RADF for 2020-21 and an additional $2.13 million will be contributed by 59 councils across Queensland,” Minister Enoch said.
“Each year RADF showcases the extraordinary innovation of the arts and cultural sector in regional communities, delivers rich arts experiences and provides important professional opportunities for artists and arts workers.”
RADF is a partnership between the Queensland Government and Scenic Rim Regional Council to support local arts and culture in regional Queensland.
To find out more about the RADF, visit our website: www.scenicrim.qld.gov.au/grants-funding-awards/regional-arts-development-fund/1
Hannah Dalton Year 12 student at Tamborine Mountain College, with her painting Behind the Mask preparing for Artsfest.