Hundreds of community-led arts and cultural experiences will be activated across regional Queensland through $4.38 million from the Regional Arts Development Fund 2021 - 2022 (RADF).
Minister for the Arts Leeanne Enoch said the Palaszczuk Government is investing $2.08 million through the Regional Arts Development Fund in 2021-22, matched with a contribution of approximately $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," Ms Enoch said.
Minister Enoch said despite the impact and challenges of COVID-19, the innovative RADF arts and cultural experiences developed and presented throughout Queensland demonstrate 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.
"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," Ms Enoch said.
The Regional Arts Development Fund, established by the Goss Labor Government in 1991, is a long-standing success story of the Queensland Government and local councils, delivering community-led rich art experiences and providing professional development for regional artists and arts workers.
Bundaberg Region Mayor Jack Dempsey thanked the Government for its support of regional arts.
"A lot of worthy community projects wouldn't go ahead without assistance from the State and Local Governments," he said.
"Creative arts are vital to promote vibrancy and reflect the diversity of where we live.
"I recall a laneway mural project earlier this year, involving local students attending an Arts Summer School.
"With thanks to RADF and Council support, this was a terrific project for the participants and left a colourful legacy."
