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The Regional Arts Development Fund (RADF) promotes the role and value of arts, culture, and heritage as key drivers of diverse and inclusive communities and strong regions. RADF invests in local arts and cultural priorities, as determined by local communities, across Queensland.
RADF supports arts and cultural activities that:
RADF is a flexible fund, enabling local Councils to tailor RADF programs to suit the needs of their communities.
Through this program, Arts Queensland (AQ) provides partnership investment that enables local councils across the State to deliver artistic outcomes, grow employment opportunities for creative and cultural workers, and engage communities to deliver on the priorities as described in Creative Together: 2020-2030:
The Regional Arts Development Fund (RADF) is delivered as a partnership between the Queensland Government through Arts Queensland and eligible local Councils across the state.
Details of Toowoomba Regional Council's local priorities can be found in the current RADF Guidelines.
General enquiries should be directed to the RADF Liaison Officer via email or by calling 131 872.
In 2024/25 the Toowoomba Regional Council Regional Arts Development Fund program delivery model covers a Council initiated project. Council has partnered with Museum and Galleries Queensland to deliver the State Conference for the sector in Toowoomba and a competitive community grants program for projects starting in 2025.
For 2024-26 we will offer competitive community RADF grants. Applications can be made by individual emerging and established artists, producers and creative practitioners, businesses, registered not-for-profit organisations, groups and collectives. Applications can be for professional development, creation and or presentation of new work or projects. Applications can be for major or minor activities within these categories. Priority will be given to applications that best address the assessment criteria.
Applications should reflect at least two goals of Connecting Through Creativity - Toowoomba Region Cultural Strategy 2023-2028.
Before making an application, please ensure you read the RADF Guidelines below. Projects that do not address the RADF guidelines will not be assessed.
There is a two-stage application process for RADF in Toowoomba Region. A written expression of interest (EOI) is to be provided via the RADF - Expression of Interest form.
At the EOI stage a preliminary budget will be required.
Expressions of interest will be reviewed by the RADF Advisory Committee.
For final assessment selected applicants will be required to:
After successful presentation a detailed budget and project management plan may be required before funding agreements are formulated for successful applicants.
Expressions of interest for projects starting after 1 February 2025 can be submitted at any time up until 4pm Friday 22 November 2024.
Stage One - Expression of interest: Close Friday 22 November 2024
Decision advised by Friday 13 December 2024 via email.
Stage Two - Selected Applicants
Applicants selected from the expressions of interest will be invited to present their proposal to a meeting of the RADF Advisory Committee on Thursday 23 January 2025 from 1pm.
Email invitations will be sent to the representative of each selected project.
Outcomes of these presentations will be advised via email by Friday 31 January 2025.
Further Expressions of interest can be submitted at any time after 31/01/2025. These EOI will only be processed if funding is still available after that time. Interested parties are advised to check the website or contact the Cultural Services Officer or RADF Liaison Officer for up-to-date information on the progress of the program.
The Queensland Government recognises local governments as key partners and co-investors in Queensland’s arts and culture.
RADF objectives are to support arts and cultural activities that:
Assessment will be undertaken by the Toowoomba Regional Council’s Regional Arts Development Fund Advisory Committee. This is a committee of independent industry representatives selected from our community for their creative industries experience each term of Council.
Applications will be assessed on how well they reflect the Assessment Criteria relevant to the stated purpose of the application.
Applications will be assessed against their quality, impact, sustainable value and alignment with local priorities.
Applications should reflect at least two goals of Connecting Through Creativity - Toowoomba Region Cultural Strategy 2023-2028
Goal 1 – Respect and Recognise
We respect and recognise First Nations culture and heritage.
Goal 2 – Celebrate
Our unique culture, stories and heritage are multicultural, reflecting and shaping our local identities and communities, as we celebrate and nurture diversity.
Goal 3 – Activate
Our arts, culture, creativity, and heritage stimulate local spaces and places, fostering opportunities to connect with others and activate communities.
Goal 4 – Connect, Collaborate and Create
We value creativity and strive to increase access to, and engagement with, the arts, culture, and heritage across the Region.
Goal 5 – Govern
Our leadership and governance enable the cultural development of an inclusive, culturally rich, and vibrant community.
Goal 6 – Thrive
Our local arts and creative industries are thriving, and we cultivate opportunities for this to occur.
Goal 7 – Cultivate
We promote the arts, culture, creativity, and heritage of the Region, communicating the wide range of events, festivals, programs, exhibitions and collections to visitors and our community.
RADF applications in the Toowoomba Region can be for professional development, creation and or presentation of new work or for projects.
Applications can be for major or minor activities within these categories. Priority will be given to applications that best address the assessment criteria.
Applicants may only submit one RADF grant application per round.
All applications are required to show a co-funding contribution in the budget.
This could be in the form of:
There is a two-stage application process for RADF in Toowoomba Region.
A written expression of interest (EOI) is to be provided on the RADF - Expression of Interest form.
Selected applicants will be invited to present in person to the RADF Advisory Committee.
After successful presentation a detailed budget and project management plan will be required before funding agreements are formulated for successful applicants.
Further Expressions of interest can be submitted at any time after 31/01/2025. These EOI will only be processed if funding is still available after that time. Interested parties are advised to check the TRC website and/or contact the Cultural Services Officer or RADF Liaison Officer for up-to-date information on the progress of the program.
All successful applicants will be required to provide an Outcome Report within 8 weeks of the completion of the funded activity.
Public feedback surveys are mandatory for activities receiving $10,000 or more in RADF funds, and optional for activities receiving less than $10,000.
Any project receiving $10,000 or more from RADF is required to report on specific statistics and feedback captured by the successful applicant via a public feedback survey to gain direct responses from and rating by attendees and or participants.
Statistics must still be captured and reported for projects receiving less than $10,000 but additional public feedback is optional for these projects.
Outcome report requirements will be provided to successful applicants with their with funding agreements so these requirements are clear from the beginning.
Failure to report on the outcome of a funded activity will result in the applicant becoming ineligible for any future Council funding.
*Note: funding recipients are expected to meet all legal obligations in relation to accessibility including access to web content.
# Where applicable, applicants must demonstrate evidence of adhering to appropriate cultural protocols for activities that engage and respect the work of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.
For further information on RADF please contact Toowoomba Regional Council’s RADF Liaison Phone: 131 872 or Email: info@tr.qld.gov.au
For information on other Arts Queensland programs and opportunities and access to helpful resources please visit www.arts.qld.gov.au