Regional Arts Development Fund (RADF) is a partnership program with Arts Queensland, managed by Local Governments in regional Queensland.

The program focuses on the development of quality art and arts practice for, and with, regional communities to support professional arts outcomes and development in regional Queensland.

To apply for RADF funding, applicants must read the RADF Applicant Guidelines.

What does RADF support?

The program supports locally determined professional arts, cultural and heritage development opportunities by providing one-off, short term, project based financial assistance to groups and individuals.

What are the categories for Funding?

RADF applications generally fall into the following categories. These categories have been developed to reflect the demand on the program and to assist with budgeting and assessment procedures.

•  Developing regional skills

To assist individual professional artists and arts workers living in regional Queensland to attend professional development seminars or activities; master classes; mentorship's with recognised artists and cultural peers; and placements with regional arts and cultural organisations.

•  Building community cultural capacity

To assist community groups to engage a professional artist or arts worker to work with them on developing their arts practice or to run arts development workshops or community projects.

•  Interest - free arts loans

For arts activities that will generate an income greater than the amount of the loan, and where no other funding source is available.

•  Cultural tourism

For projects and activities that focus on communities' locally distinct art, culture and heritage both for members of that community and for visitors.

•  Contemporary collections/stories

To preserve and provide access to locally held collections of significance, and collect and tell stories from the past and the present that can demonstrate state and/or local significance. The priorities for this category are proposals for post 1960 heritage and Indigenous stories that can demonstrate strong community participation and ownership.

•  Regional partnerships

To encourage innovative and energizing arts projects where artists, communities and councils work together in their community, or in partnership with another community to achieve enhanced outcomes from RADF grants.

•  Concept development

To develop arts research ideas and project proposals to the implementation stage and identify funding sources outside of RADF to implement project proposals.

•  Arts policy development and implementation

This funding category is available to Councils only. Councils can apply for funding to:

• Develop cultural policy, cultural mapping, visioning and planning proposals
• Partner on regional cultural policy co-ordination activities
• Cross - regional cultural planning
• Development of cultural tourism plans
• Community consultation
• RADF committee training

Who can apply?

Individual professional artists, arts workers, cultural workers or project coordinators who are based in the local council area, are permanent residents or Australian citizens and have an Australian Business Number.  Incorporated organisations, based in the local council area, and unincorporated organisations, auspiced by an incorporated body, based in the local council area.

For assistance in choosing the category and in completing your application contact Council’s Arts & Cultural Officer on 0427 450 013.

When applying for funding applicants must:

• read the new guidelines carefully
• check your eligibility in the eligibility checklist
• carefully select the appropriate category
• complete the application form (with supporting documentation).

Funding Rounds

There are four funding rounds each year (based on the financial year calendar).

• Round 3 – closed Friday 25 January 2013
• Round 4 – closes Friday 26 April 2013
• Round 1 – closes 26 July 2013
• Round 2 – closes 25 October 2013 
  

2012/13 Financial Year Recipients

Round 1

• Gemfields RSL for the Royal Navy Brass Band $4215.29
• Gemfields Support Association $1300
• Leichhardt Art Project $7540
  

Round 2

• Easter Sunflower Festival Committee $2470
• Central Highlands Arts & Cultural Advisory Committee $6650
• Emerald Art Group $4420

Quick response grants for developing regional skills are available from November 2008.

The Central Highlands Regional Council RADF Committee considers applications for professional artists to develop their skills throughout the year through a "quick response" application.

Assistance is available for up to 65 per cent of the total costs to a maximum of $1,000 for Queensland travel and $2,000 for national travel. 

To apply under this category applicants must:

• complete the quick response application form, available to download from the guidelines and application forms section 
• email or post the completed form with your supporting documentation
• allow a minimum of four weeks for notification.

RADF Committee

The Central Highlands Regional Council RADF committee is a group of informed volunteer representatives that reflects the diverse arts, culture and geography of the council area. Each member of the committee has a responsibility for a portfolio that reflects their area of expertise.

The primary responsibilities of the committee are to:

• attend and participate in RADF meetings
• assess RADF applications and outcome reports
• ensure that funding allocated is aligned with the RADF principles, eligibility criteria, and the priorities of the local council’s cultural plans and policies
• participate in the RADF bidding and reporting cycles
• participate in RADF committee training 
• advise the RADF liaison officer, prior to the meeting, if they are unable to attend, ensuring that a quorum can be met

Nominations for the Central Highlands Regional Council RADF Committee are open now.

Are You Interested in the Art and Cultural Sector?

Central Highlands Regional Council is now calling for expressions of interest from residents to become part of a new RADF committee to help implement the new RADF guidelines in the Council area.

To apply to become a member of the Central Highlands Regional Council RADF Committee, candidates must read the Information for RADF Committee Candidates.  

Nominations are now being called for and candidates must submit a RADF Committee Candidate Nomination Form (with supporting documentation).

Council is currently seeking interested community members for the Local RADF Committees representing the Capella, Tieri, Blackwater and Duaringa areas.

Guidelines and Application Forms

RADF funding applications close at 5:00pm on the closing date of each funding round (or postmarked on the closing date).

You can download application forms in Word or PDF format.  For help downloading the documents see the instructions below. 

RADF Applicant Guidelines [PDF 908KB]   

RADF Quick Response Form [Word 428KB]

RADF Application Form

RADF Outcome Report

RADF Application Form - Category 1

RADF Outcome Report - Category 1

RADF Eligibility Checklist [Word 89KB]

Instructions for downloading Word documents:

• Download the application form. (Right click and select Save file/target as.)
• To complete the form in Microsoft Word, tab between boxes.
• Save a copy of the completed form for your records.
• Print the form and post with support material to:

The Arts and Cultural Officer
Central Highlands Regional Council
PO Box 21
EMERALD QLD 4720

OR

Email your form and title your email "RADF" to knewman@chrc.qld.gov.au 
(email size must not exceed 10MB).
Emailing your application will speed up the administration process. 

Instructions for downloading PDF documents:

Download the application form.

Print and complete the form and post with support material to:
The Arts and Cultural Officer
Central Highlands Regional Council
PO Box 21
EMERALD QLD 4720  

RADF Outcome Report

RADF outcome reports are how grant recipients account for how they have used the grants money.

It's important to read the outcome report before you start your funded project to ensure that you’re familiar with the kind of information required for you to report against.

All RADF recipients are required to submit an outcome report no more than eight weeks after the conclusion of the activity.

Download the RADF outcome report from the guidelines and application forms section.

Further Information........

For further information on the RADF Program: