Gladstone Regional Council awarded over $50,000 in Regional Arts Development Fund funding

Gladstone Regional Council has snagged $54,500 thanks to a special grants program. Find out which industry will benefit from it.

The Gladstone Regional Council have been awarded funding which is designed to activate community-led arts and cultural experiences.

The Gladstone Regional Council has been awarded funding which is designed to activate community-led arts and cultural experiences.

The $54,500 cash injection arrives courtesy of the Regional Arts Development Fund 2021 – 2022 (RADF).

Gladstone Mayor Matt Burnett announced the additional funding at the Wrapt in Mugul exhibition recently.

“The funding can be used for training, projects and it is absolutely fantastic to see more money being injected into the arts sector which has been doing it tough,” mr Burnett said.

“It is decided by a volunteer committee how the money will be spent now, they will make sure it will go towards the right projects.

“It’s about support the arts industry, council already have a significant pool of funds for the RADF which the state matches when a deposit is made.”

Minister for the Arts Leeanne Enoch said the Palaszczuk Government was investing $2.08 million through the Regional Arts Development Fund in 2021-22, matched with a contribution of about $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.

“Our investment complements the Palaszczuk Government’s wider commitment to regional arts, including continued support of $6 million over four years for the Regional Arts Services Network (RASN).

“The arts, cultural and creative sectors are key to delivering our plan for economic recovery from COVID-19, each year injecting $8.5 billion into the state’s economy and supporting more than 92,000 jobs for Queenslanders.”

Minister Enoch said despite the impact and challenges of COVID-19, the innovative RADF arts and cultural experiences developed and presented throughout Queensland demonstrated the creativity, resilience and adaptability within the arts sector.

“Over the past financial year RADF has provided funding for projects as diverse as hip hop workshops in the Lockyer Valley, to a new mural in Wallumbilla’s main street showcasing locals, and a public art piano in the Mackay region,” she said.

“RADF investment in 2021–2022 will maintain the momentum with an exciting variety of projects which will continue to provide valuable social, health and economic outcomes.

“Last year the Palaszczuk Government released Creative Together 2020-2030: A 10-Year Roadmap for arts, culture and creativity, and RADF is an important program that supports several of the roadmap’s priorities, including strengthening Queensland communities and activating local places.”

Originally published as Gladstone Regional Council awarded over $50,000 in Regional Arts Development Fund funding