Applications open for arts funding

Published: 12 April 2021. (Note: information was correct at date of publication but may have since been changed or superseded.)

Call out to artists and cultural practitioners, here’s your chance to get grant funding to support your projects.

Applications are now open for grants of up to $10,000 in the Regional Arts Development Fund (RADF) program Major Round Two, and up to $25,000 for a City of the Arts Hero Project Grant.

And to make it easier, Council has streamlined and simplified the application process with new online form submissions.

The RADF program is a partnership between the Queensland Government and Cairns Regional Council to support local arts and culture in regional Queensland.

Arts and cultural organisations, groups and individuals are eligible to apply to the Cairns RADF program for projects that can start after 1 July 2021.

The program has helped hundreds of local projects to get off the ground, and the RADF grants have had a flow on effect across a number of business areas like fabricators, designers, photographers, and publishers.

The 2019/20 RADF Program funded 32 projects, which are projected to reach over 10,000 attendees and involve more than 250 participants and 110 volunteers, as well as creating short term employment across local arts industries.

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.”

Full application guidelines can be found on Council’s website at www.cairns.qld.gov.au/online/grants. Applications for Major Round Two and the City of the Arts Hero Project grants close at 5pm on Friday 7 May 2021.