Music, theatre, dance, visual art and screen writing all featured in another highly competitive Regional Arts Development Fund (RADF) grant round, where 11 creative projects were awarded a share of more than $57,500 from Sunshine Coast Council, in partnership with the Queensland Government.
Community Portfolio Councillor Rick Baberowski said it was striking that local artists were pushing through this incredibly difficult time to find ways to continue to develop their practice at a time when they, like so many others, continued to be profoundly impacted by COVID-19.
"With interstate travel restricted, it's fundamental that we can support our local artists through RADF to develop their work at home on the Sunshine Coast, at a time when they may otherwise be touring, performing or exhibiting locally, nationally or overseas," Cr Baberowski said.
"The calibre of artists who call this region home is our shared good fortune, and it's satisfying to see the quality and variety of projects being developed across our local arts sector."
Funding for music will see new albums recorded by solo-artist Zac Gunthorpe and indie-electro trio Forrest Run, a recording of orchestral works by Andrew Veivers, a career development program created for emerging artist Mayah Clarke, working with Peter Koppes from well-known Australian band "The Church", and a micro-tour network designed by local company Red Chair to create performance opportunities for artists.
Red Chair director Angie Dunbavan said the RADF funding for The Compass Project would allow them to build and test a new micro-touring network on the Sunshine Coast.
"The music industry has been particularly hard hit as a result of COVID-19 and the opportunity to create a viable touring circuit for our musicians is more vital now than at any other time in our history," Ms Dunbavan said.
"As part of this project we will deliver two tours across the Sunshine Coast between November and May, creating employment for artists and activating non-traditional performances spaces and communities."
Other recipients in this funding round include:
- Theatre: a new work tested in a rehearsal space, by experienced, multi award-winning professionals who will simultaneously mentor Eleni Conomos on playwriting and stagecraft.
- Screen writing: research, development and pitch creation for a new screenplay by Anna Loren.
- Visual art: Manning Daly Art for ideation, research and development of new work that interrogates the marine and terrestrial landscapes of Pumicestone Passage.
- Dance: Courtney Scheu will lead the creative development of a new contemporary dance work with internationally renowned artists that will conclude with a local showing.
- Mentorship: musician Louise King will engage in a program with mentors in arts leadership.
- Mentorship: emerging artist Crystal Lapointe will enjoy a mentorship with established street artist Sarah Sculley.
Minister for the Arts Leeanne Enoch said the Palaszczuk Government was proud to continue its RADF partnership with local governments with an investment of $2.08 million, through Arts Queensland, for the 2019-20 fund.
"This investment supports the delivery of hundreds of arts experiences and professional development opportunities across the state," Ms Enoch said.
"Projects funded through RADF provide pathways for learning, contribute to the creation of jobs, foster creativity and boost cultural tourism."
View a full list of funded projects.
Applications for the next RADF funding round are now open and will close on November 1.
