Arts and cultural projects in the Central Highlands will benefit from funding received under the Regional Arts Development Fund (RADF) program.
Under the program, the Queensland Government partners with local governments to invest in quality arts and cultural experiences. More than $39,000 have been allocated to eight projects in the Central Highlands.
Amongst the recipients are the Blackwater International Coal Centre that received $2,646 towards its Ten Year History and Heritage Celebration in August 2018. The celebration will involve local bands, dance performances, art workshops and heritage displays of the local mining history.
Developing children’s author Frances Underhill and emerging illustrator Helen Killian received $6,310 towards a regional collaborative children’s book. The Emerald Art Group received $1,338 towards a workshop with talented artist and former Duaringa resident Erin Dunne.
The Miner’s Common Museum, Arts and Cultural Centre Inc. received $3,455 towards their annual folk festival in June. This year’s theme will be Taste of Africa Experiences.
The Queensland Country Women’s Association (QCWA) Springsure Branch received $300 to partner with the Emerald Photographic Club to present children’s photography workshops in Springsure.
The Emerald Patchwork and Emerald Photographic Club are also partnering with council to deliver artist development workshops and the Astronomical Team from Townsville received funding to tour this region with their performance art and astronomy show.
Mayor Cr Kerry Hayes congratulated the successful applicants and encouraged art and cultural groups and individuals to apply for the 2018-19 program commencing in September.
‘Council is committed to growing our local arts and cultural sector and improving the opportunities available to people to participate in and experience these activities,’ he said.
‘Well done to all our recipients and I look forward to seeing even more of our local arts and cultural groups take advantage of this great funding.’
The Regional Arts Development Fund is a partnership between the Queensland Government and Central Highlands Regional Council to support local arts and culture in regional Queensland.
The Queensland Government, through Arts Queensland, is contributing $2.08 million to the 2017-18 RADF partnership across 59 councils statewide.