New arts projects including a community beautification endeavour and a writers' workshop will be brought to life in Townsville thanks to six Regional Art Development Fund (RADF) grants approved at this week's Townsville City Council meeting.
Council partners with Arts Queensland to deliver the grants, which support local arts and culture in regional Queensland.
Council Community and Cultural Development Committee chairperson Ann-Maree Greaney said the arts projects would be beneficial for the public across Townsville.
"RADF grants are all about giving local artists the opportunity to pursue their art in their hometown. The six approved applicants have shown a strong vision for how their initiatives will benefit the local arts scene and its practitioners," Cr Greaney said.
"This is the second round of the 2021/2022 RADF, and we are proud to be supporting these six approved applicants with a total of $44,843 worth of funding.
"These initiatives will be brought to the Townsville public in the next few months. I'm looking forward to seeing these interesting ideas become a reality."
The successful applicants are Nadeen Payne for Kenzie and Her Curls, Kamryn Stewart for Brighten our Neighbourhood, Laura Shum for Support for Local Artists at NAFA 2022, Felix Sampson for Kindof – A Multi-Disciplinary Arts Project, Sarah Mathiesen for Class of HUX Writers Workshop and Amelia Rankin for Butterflies and Blooms.
Minister for the Arts Leeanne Enoch said the Palaszczuk Government is 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."
