Arts and cultural practitioners of all genres are invited to apply for a share in grant funding to support their projects.

Applications are now open for the Major Round One (grants of up to $10,000) as part of the Regional Arts Development Fund (RADF) program for projects that start after 15 January 2021.

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.

Cairns Mayor Bob Manning said the arts community was among the hardest hit by the COVID-19 pandemic.

“The arts and our local artists contribute greatly to the economic, social and cultural wellbeing of Cairns and the community,” Cr Manning said.

“As restrictions continue to ease, I am sure our arts community will be looking to funding programs like RADF in order to deliver projects and contribute to the recovery of this important sector.

“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.”

Arts and cultural activities that demonstrate a professional standard of work and contribute to the vitality and diversity of the arts industry in the Cairns region may be eligible for financial assistance.

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

Each year more than 500,000 people engage with RADF projects across Queensland, ranging from public art installations, to local festivals and arts and cultural workshops, either as practitioners, participants or audience members.

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 One close at 5pm on Friday 30 October 2020.