Funding for arts grants will enrich Scenic Rim communities

A performance and a workshop that will produce landmark works of art, and a project to help preserve the region's rich heritage, have been awarded a total of $32,135 in grants from the Scenic Rim Regional Arts Development Fund (RADF).

Funding for the three diverse projects was endorsed at last week's Ordinary Meeting on the recommendation of the Scenic Rim Arts Reference Group, which is chaired by Councillor Michael Enright.

"Five applications for funding in the second round of grants for 2021-2022 were considered by the Scenic Rim Arts Reference Group and assessed against criteria based on RADF guidelines and priorities identified in Council's Arts and Cultural Policy and Corporate Plan Scenic Rim 2026," he said.

"The RADF grants represent an excellent return on investment for the community, with funding of $32,135* set to deliver projects with a total value of almost $127,000."

Grants have been awarded to: Goat Track Theatre Company for a theatre in the round experience on Tamborine Mountain; the 4275 Collective for a workshop to inspire local 'creatives' to produce murals in the Canungra township and the Canungra and District Historical Association for a digital cataloguing workshop to help preserve its collection.

Councillor Enright said the grants will support organisations which enrich the cultural life of Scenic Rim communities and celebrate the region's heritage and its identity.

"Goat Track Theatre Company's grant will help to mount a production of the Life of Galileo, casting actors in the older youth category of 16 to 26 as they are often left out of projects that tend to favour high school teens and children," he said.

"Funding for the 4275 Collective's Wallflower Project, which provides for a two-day workshop, aims to inspire local artists to create a mural on a Canungra building."

"Training in the MOSAiC collections management system by members of the Canungra and District Historical Society will benefit local historians working across our regional museums to preserve our region's heritage for future generations."

Minister for the Arts Leeanne Enoch said the Palaszczuk Government was 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 provides 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,” she said. 

The Regional Arts Development Fund (RADF) is a partnership between the Queensland Government and Scenic Rim Regional Council to support local arts and culture in Regional Queensland. 

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