Want to receive Regional Arts Fund (RAF) updates in your inbox each month? Sign up to our eNewsletters

2022 is off and running here at Flying Arts and we have a number of grants open, and some exciting updates and extensions to closing dates for the one-off Cultural Tourism Accelerator grants.

At the end 2021 we were pleased to announce recipients for both the November Quick Response Grant round, and the Cultural Tourism Accelerator Flash Marketing Campaign Round 1.  

The Regional Arts Fund is an ongoing program that provides approximately 3.6 million dollars per year to support artists and communities in regional and remote areas. The Regional Arts Fund is part of the Australian Government’s Arts and Cultural Development Program that supports participation in, and access to, Australia’s arts and culture through developing and supporting cultural expression. 

The Regional Arts Fund is managed by Regional Arts Australia on behalf of the Australian Government and administrated by Flying Arts in Queensland.

---

UPDATE – CULTURAL TOURISM ACCELERATOR PROGRAM
NEW ROUND AND EXTENDED CLOSE DATES ANNOUNCED

In response to the impacts of recent extreme weather events (cyclones Seth and Tiffany) and changing COVID-19 conditions and restrictions in Queensland, Flying Arts has announced an extension to the Cultural Tourism Accelerator Program, which was due to close for applications on 25 January 2022.  

To give individuals and organisations in arts, culture and tourism sectors more time to submit applications, a new closing date of 5pm on Monday 21 February 2022 will now apply to all currently open Cultural Tourism Accelerator funding streams.   

We are also pleased to announce a second round of the Flash Marketing Campaign program, which will open on Tuesday 18 January 2022, and will also close at 5pm, Monday 21 February 2022. 

The Cultural Tourism Accelerator Program is a 5 million dollar targeted measure announced by the Australian Government as part of the Regional Arts Tourism package, which will enable arts organisations to promote and develop cultural events for tourists across regional Australia. The program will increase tourism visitation in regional, rural, and remote communities across Australia by providing financial support for arts and cultural activity.  

This grant stream is aimed at increasing visitation to existing arts and cultural venues, events, and programs. This is not a fund for new projects.  Applicants are encouraged to apply for both one Campaign and one Initiative grant, with total funding available up to 25,000 dollars.  

Current Regional Arts Fund clients are eligible to apply for funding to supplement existing projects 

All four grant streams are available to augment marketing and tourism initiatives for existing arts, cultural and tourism events scheduled between 1 April and 31 October 2022. 

NEW ROUND ANNOUNCED – Flash Marketing Campaign – Round 2 
A competitive quick response grant for upcoming projects to extend digital or grassroots marketing into a new visitor market.  
Amount:  2,500  dollars
Opens: 9:00 am Tuesday 18 January 2022  
Closes: 5:00 pm Monday 21 February 2022  APPLY HERE
Successful Flash Marketing Campaign Round 1 recipients can be found here.

Targeted Marketing Campaign  
A strategic and targeted marketing campaign to achieve a particular visitation outcome. The campaign will accompany an existing project, event, festival, venue or annual program.  
Amount: 10,000  dollars
Opens: 9:00 am 16 November 2021  
Closes: 5:00 pm Monday 21 February 2022  CLOSING DATES EXTENDED APPLY HERE  

Experience Initiative  
An initiative that adds an offer or experience to an existing program, to increase visitation or extend the visitor experience of ‘place.’  
Amount: $10,000  
Opens: 9:00 am 16 November 2021  
Closes: 5:00 pm Monday 21 February 2022  CLOSING DATES EXTENDED APPLY HERE  

Partnership Initiative  
An initiative that develops a partnership with hospitality, accommodation, retail or events businesses to increase visitation and develop cross markets.  
Amount: 15,000  dollars
Opens: 9:00 am 16 November 2021  
Closes: 5:00 pm Monday 21 February 2022  CLOSING DATES EXTENDED APPLY HERE

All applicants are notified of decisions by March 2022 . Have questions? See Cultural Tourism Accelerator Frequently Asked Questions . Email enquiries welcomed at Tourism@flyingarts.org.au  

---

UPCOMING ROUNDS

RAF Quick Response Grants 
The First round of Quick Response Grants for 2022 will be open for applications from 1 – 28 February. Successful applicants will be notified of round outcomes on 8 March. Quick Response Grants aim to support small arts or cultural projects that cannot be funded by other means because of their nature or timing. 

Successful Quick Response Grant recipients from the November 2021 round can be found here.
Learn More

2022 Round 1 of RAF Project Grants open on 1 February and close on 14 March 2022. Project Grants provide major funding for high-quality arts projects benefiting regional or remote artists, arts workers, audiences, and communities. 
Learn More

---

CASE STUDY: Jonte Tupaea – Music Video

Jonte Tupaea is a singer/songwriter/producer hailing from the Mackay region with a repertoire of music consisting of creatively constructed originals and a mixture of covers. With funding support from the Regional Arts Quick Response Grant, Jonte was able to create a music video for the single release “Lay Me Down” from the 4 track EP “Experiences”. 

Jonte said “filming this music video was a first and new experience for me as an artist and ultimately showcased new insights for the song, providing audiences to view the film and listen rather than only releasing audio songs. I have developed skills and an overall knowledge of how to thoroughly plan, film and release a music video independently.” 

The music video has also promoted the single on streaming platforms which has allowed new people to stream and download.

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.