Arts, Culture & Heritage Funding

Tablelands Regional Council’s (TRC) current major round of the Regional Arts Development Fund (RADF) is open for applications.

RADF Advisory Committee Chair Councillor Kevin Cardew is encouraging the community to lodge their applications for the arts, culture and heritage funding.

‘Up to $6000 is available to individuals, groups and organisations and this round is again focusing on youth, mental health and wellbeing.

‘We are particularly keen to see applications from young people for professional development for their creative industries, career pathways, and arts and culture projects,’ Councillor Cardew said.

Successful RADF recipient Jenni Kruck and other artists ran a series of workshops as part of her Playful Puppetry Project.

‘Linda Bates and I had talked about doing a puppet theme for the Children’s Festival at the Tablelands Folk Festival.

‘We had lots of interesting ideas but, given the community nature of the event and our limited budget, we had to stay small, simple and recycled.

‘Accessing a RADF grant allowed us to follow our imagination, curiosity and passion, engaging with Geo Toner to learn new puppet-making and performance skills.

‘It also allowed us to offer our workshops to the wider community and we were especially satisfied to see all age groups enjoy making and playing with puppets, from little kids to teenagers, adults, parents and grandparents.

‘I’ve helped organise grants for the Folk Festival and Children’s Art Projects before, but never considered applying to support my own creative projects.

‘I was encouraged to apply by TRC staff and a RADF Advisory Committee member who, upon hearing my project idea, thought it would fit within the RADF Grant guidelines.

‘The application and acquittal processes were not as complicated as I’d thought.

‘The most difficult part was learning to put monetary value on ourselves as creative arts workers,’ Ms Kruck said.

Applications are open until Monday 31 March.

RADF is a partnership between the Queensland Government and TRC to support local arts and culture in regional Queensland.