More than $39 000 has been allocated to local arts and cultural projects under the first round of this financial year’s Regional Arts Development Fund.
Five projects have been approved and applications for the next and final round for RADF 2017-18 close on 23 February 2018.
The Emerald Photographic Club received $14 294 to assist hosting the Gems of the Outback Photographic Society of Queensland (PSQ) Convention in Emerald from 5 to 7 May 2018. The convention will involve workshops and guest speakers, including Steve Parish and many other high profile photographers.
Another $9100 was allocated to the Rolleston Photography Group’s Capturing Local Ecotourism workshop. The two-day event will be run by professional photographer Steph Connell at the new local ecotourism location at Wallaroo, south of Rolleston. The group will then display their images at an exhibition in Beazley Park.
Two individual professional development grants of $1300 each were approved for Mitchell Rolfe and Greer Webley, members of the AFM Buskers. The budding musicians will use the grant to gain industry experience and develop as performers and songwriters at the Tamworth Country Music Festival.
A further $4950 was approved for community arts and cultural professional development workshops, with the first series of being delivered on 9 and 10 December.
Mayor Cr Kerry Hayes congratulated the successful applicants and encouraged other art and cultural groups or individuals to apply for the next round.
‘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 is contributing $2.08 million to the 2017-18 RADF partnership across 59 councils state-wide.