It’s been a big year for our creative region

More than 33,500 artists, participants and audience members engaged with arts programs and creative projects thanks to Sunshine Coast Council’s Regional Arts Development Fund program last financial year.

Through the RADF partnership with the Queensland Government, council provided more than $265,000 to local arts and creative projects in the 2017/18 financial year.

Arts Portfolio Cr Rick Baberowski said the Sunshine Coast’s creative sector was thriving and would continue to grow thanks to the Regional Arts Development Fund and council’s Arts Plan.

“It’s been an exciting year for arts on the Sunshine Coast with the endorsement of the region’s first Arts Plan,” Cr Baberowski said.

“Council’s vision is for our region to be healthy, smart and creative, and RADF is certainly delivering on that.

“Our RADF officer held almost 450 consultations with artists across the region during the financial year and almost 70% of them were new applicants which is extremely exciting and proves just how strong our local creative community is.

“The RADF program will continue to support creative projects that contribute to the creative ecology of the region in line with the vision and goals of the Arts Plan.

“I encourage all local artists with a new project to consider applying for a RADF grant.”

In 2017/18, the RADF program included a competitive arts grants program, council-initiated projects, professional and industry development initiatives and an annual partnership with the peak creative industry body, the Sunshine Coast Creative Alliance.

The grants program awarded $154,717 to 53 successful projects, including two which increased arts participation for people with disabilities and two First Nations projects.

Creative projects featuring architecture, dance, theatre, visual arts, the filming of a crime series pilot as well as hip-hop and blues recordings, were delivered by 132 local artists and engaged more than 12,500 people.

RADF supported the development and presentation of eight Immersive and Art in Place works, for Horizon Festival, involving 52 artists and creating arts experiences for over 14,500 audience members

Growing interest in the textile, clothing and fashion industries led to council launching the inaugural fabric – Slow Fashion, Artful Living program that bought art and sustainability together in a curated program of design and fashion inspired activities, presented in partnership with Living Smart.

RADF also supported a diverse professional and industry development program including immerse conference 2018 and partnerships with 21 local creative organisations.

Find out more or contact the RADF liaison officer on 5420 8616.