Grant funds creative look at eco issues

Artists with an eco-edge are invited to share in funding designed to boost environmentally focused projects in the Cairns region.

Applications are now open for the 2019 ECOarts grant, which offers funding up to $4500 towards the development of environmentally based arts and cultural projects that highlight a sustainability challenge, or celebrate our unique local biodiversity. The grant is possible thanks to the Regional Arts Development Fund, a partnership between the Queensland Government and Cairns Regional Council to support local arts and culture in regional Queensland. The Queensland Government, through Arts Queensland, is contributing $2.08 million to the 2018-19 RADF partnership across 59 councils statewide. In 2018, the ECOarts grant supported the creation of larger than life, carved sculptural chocolate that highlighted the decline of rare timbers by Roland Smith, a visual arts collaborative photographic installation with McDonnel Creek State School and basket weaving, puppet making, storybook writing and recycled craft and macramé, a collaboration between ARC Disability Service Users and Saltwater Basketry Group. Successful projects under this year’s grant will have the opportunity to exhibit at the Cairns ECOfiesta 2019, to be held at the Cruise Liner Terminal on Sunday 2 June. Mayor Bob Manning encouraged artists to apply. “We have so many talented people in our community and a spectacular region from which to draw inspiration,” Cr Manning said. “We know that protecting our unique natural environment is important to our community and we encourage artists to explore this theme through their art.” Visit Council’s website for more information about the grant and to apply. Applications close on Tuesday 19 March, at 5pm.