Local artists and community groups benefit from Arts funding

Local artists and community groups benefit from Arts funding

Over $33,000 in funding has been allocated to six successful applicants under Round One of the Regional Arts Development Fund (RADF), which closed on November 22.

The Regional Arts Development Fund is a partnership between state and local governments to support quality arts and cultural experiences.

Portfolio Holder of Vibrant Community (Tourism, Events and Culture), Councillor Tanya Lynch, said RADF invests in local arts and cultural priorities, as determined by local communities.

“We support activities that provide public value, build cultural capacity, cultural innovation, and community well-being,” Cr Lynch said. 

“The budget available for the 2020/21 RADF grants was $64,500 - comprising $34,500 from the State Government Arts Queensland and $30,000 from Livingstone Shire Council.

“Round One funding recipients included Capricorn Coast Writers Festival ($5,666), Capricorn Film Festival ($7,000), Yeppoon Little Theatre ($2,470), Latitude 23 Arts ($6,098), Capricornia Catchments ($4,580), and singer/songwriter Kate Mahood ($7,500).

“Capricorn Coast Writers Festival will be conducting workshops with three popular authors, Capricorn Film Festival is conducting a projection art trail called, ‘Sensory CQ – What do you Sea’, and Latitude 23 Arts is engaging a professional curator to work on the inaugural exhibition in the new gallery space at Fig Tree Galleries.

“Capricornia Catchments is using local artists to design and paint educational material on a toilet block at Causeway Lake, Yeppoon Little Theatre Group is hosting a five-day intensive workshop for young people with an interest in performing arts, and singer/songwriter Kate Mahood is recording and releasing a five track EP.

“We’re pleased to support professional and emerging artists and arts practitioners living in the Shire,” she said.

The Capricorn Coast Writers Festival Director Nene Davies said they were delighted to receive RADF funding.

“It will help us bring both Queensland and interstate authors to our area, while highlighting local literary talent and spotlighting the importance of books and reading to the local community,” Ms Davies said.

“The Capricorn Cast Writers Festival will run from Friday 11 to Sunday 13 June, with one workshop in early 2021. The festival is for anyone who dares to write, loves to read, and wants to learn.

“We cannot wait to showcase our beautiful corner of the world to more patrons, more authors, more readers, and more booklovers. The festival is for every one of us who loves stories and the written word.”

To find out more about the Regional Arts Development Fund, please visit: https://www.arts.qld.gov.au/regional-arts-development-fund