Seven regional arts projects in Queensland will receive a total of $168,744.40 as the recipients of the latest round of Community Grants as part of the Australian Government’s Regional Arts Fund, administered in Queensland by Flying Arts Alliance Inc.
Community Grants provide up to $30,000 in funding for projects involving regional artists or arts organisations that have a public outcome and significantly engage the community in which they are based.
The successful projects will roll out across Queensland in the latter half of 2020 and into 2021, boosting the re-integration of regional communities into the arts after widespread closures and postponement of cultural events due to the coronavirus pandemic.
Flying Arts Alliance CEO Kerryanne Farrer says Flying Arts welcomes this injection of funding to provide valuable opportunities in regional Queensland, particularly in the wake of financial downturn in the Australian arts industry.
“Flying Arts has played witness to the transformative nature of regional arts funding since assuming administration of the fund in Queensland in 2016. In this unprecedented time, the strength of our regional artists, artsworkers and institutions is evidenced by the quality of the applications received in this funding round,” Ms Farrer said.
“The Regional Arts Fund’s impetus to support sustainable economic, social and cultural development in regional communities is welcomed more so in our present circumstances.”
Ms Farrer noted that the competitive nature of this round meant the successful applicants were awarded upon meeting the selection criteria to a high degree.
“The seven successful recipients were selected from 26 applications by a panel of peer assessors, assessed according to the project’s viability, quality, reach and impact within their chosen community. The independent panel was impressed by the high number of quality applications this round, making it very competitive and many deserving projects were unable to be funded this time.”
Successful applications from the latest round of Community Grants include:
- Two projects which have a strong focus on Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander culture – one community building and cultural preservation project and one craft and culture festival.
- Two projects that facilitate community cohesion – one community building and performance project, and one public art commission.
- Two projects which focus on professional development and local capacity building – including digital storytelling workshops, and performance and theatre workshops.
- One community arts engagement project through a theatre production.
Two examples that reflect the diversity of approved projects are:
Quandamooka Festival Fibre Arts Project
This project delivers a series of workshops during the Quandamooka Festival 2020 that will strengthen relationships within the community, invite reflection, and spark creativity and respect for Country and Culture through the application of environmentally friendly and sensitive processes. Workshops with Quandamooka artists, children and community members on natural bush dyeing, printmaking and silkscreen design will encourage intergenerational cultural transmission and knowledge from Elders and cultural leaders working as rangers. This project will culminate in a public installation at the Quandamooka Festival and will commence the public programming for the opening of the Quandamooka Art Museum and Performance Institute in 2021.
C.R.U.S.H (Community. Regional. Up skill. Haven)
Crossroad Arts will partner with Dancenorth (Townsville) and La Boite Theatre Company (Brisbane) along with independent artist with disability Dean Walsh (Sydney) to produce an exciting three days of workshops in contemporary movement, performance and theatre-making for people with and without disability. C.R.U.S.H is suitable for all bodies, minds and levels of artistic experience – from raw beginner to highly accomplished performers and/or dancers.
The Australian Government’s Regional Arts Fund supports sustainable cultural development in regional and remote Australia. The fund meets the strategic priorities of supporting participation in and access to the arts and encouraging greater private sector support for the arts. The Australian Government’s Regional Arts Fund is provided through Regional Arts Australia. In Queensland, the
Regional Arts Fund is administered by Flying Arts Alliance according to the objectives and general eligibility determined by the Australian Government.
The next round of applications for Community Grants will open on 10 January 2020. For more information see: https://flyingarts.org.au/raf/
-ENDS –
See full list of 2020 RAF Project Grant Recipients
The Regional Arts Fund (RAF) is an Australian Government program designed to benefit regional and remote arts practitioners, arts workers, audiences and communities. The fund is provided through Regional Arts Australia and is administered in Queensland by Flying Arts Alliance.
Flying Arts is an arts and cultural development organisation which has been delivering visual arts projects and services to regional and remote Queensland since 1971. The Association has played a significant role in inspiring artists and communities, as well as helping to overcome the impacts of regional isolation and remote living.
For more information please contact:
Odette Miller
Public Relations and Marketing Assistant
Flying Arts Alliance
comms@flyingarts.org.au
The Regional Arts Fund (RAF) is an Australian Government program designed to benefit regional and remote arts practitioners, arts workers, audiences and communities. The fund is provided through Regional Arts Australia and is administered in Queensland by Flying Arts Alliance.