Art and nature to combine thanks to bumper funding round

With that in mind, council, through the Regional Arts Development Fund (RADF), is offering $42,270 in Green Arts grants during this funding round.

RADF Committee chair Cr Fran Mann said Green Arts was an RADF partnership with the Parks, Environment and Sustainability departments.

“The aim is to offer a funding pool that supports initiatives that focus on environmentally-based arts and cultural practice and that highlight issues relating to our unique local biodiversity,” Cr Mann said.

“Art is a wonderful medium to promote the significant and diverse natural environment of the Mackay region and we are looking for projects that both showcase what we have and encourage its preservation,” he said.

“The Plastic Boutique project by Margaret Burgess is a great example of a previously successful application in the Green Arts category.

“This program runs local workshops that teach people about recycling, upcycling and reusing plastics and preloved fabrics in a unique and creative way.

“After 74 workshops, involving many artists and community members, the project recently completed the installation of a colossal six-by-three metre canopy with over 360 birds into Caneland Central.”

Also available in this funding round is $47,868 in the general categories and $15,000 in the Young People category.

Cr Mann said the Young People category was all about supporting young people to pursue creative career pathways.

“One of the strengths with this program is it not only helps fund opportunities for young people, but it also offers industry linkages through a mentoring process,” she said.

This funding round of RADF (round one for 2021/22) is open now and applications close Wednesday, November 3, 2021 (for projects commencing after Friday, December 10, 2021).

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 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,” she said.

“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).”