RADF supports arts practice in Townsville

Local Indigenous musicians, young artists and theatre fans are all set to benefit from Council’s latest investment in arts and culture through the award of Regional Arts Development Fund (RADF) grants to six artists and groups across the city.

RADF provides funding for projects that promote and develop arts, culture and heritage in Townsville and is delivered as a partnership between the Queensland Government through Arts Queensland and Townsville City Council.

The six successful applicants are:

• Danya’s Designs for Children’s Hospital School Superhero Anthology, providing a five-week digital art workshop for children attending the Townsville University Hospital School while receiving treatment for chronic health of complex mental health conditions
• TheatreiNQ for Chewing Gum Dreams, a production of the award-winning one-woman show which will include the return of Somalian refugee and former Townsville local Faduma Ali who trained at TheatreiNQ
• Shirley-Ann Rowley for Ukulele Workshops with Australian Ukulele Teachers and Leaders Association, providing educational skill building for ukulele players
• Iris Ulrike Flatzle for Tropical Soundscapes, the creation of two cello and digeridoo recordings with accompanying music videos for Rike Wolf and First Nations didgeridoo player Will Mabo
• North Queensland Recorder Society for the NQRS Annual Weekend Workshop, engaging leading Canberra and Sydney recorder musician and teachers Robyn Mellor and Daniel Murphy to conduct a two-day intensive recorder workshop
• Pootsy for Project Shimmer, designed to support and improve the lives of women through therapeutic art workshops culminating in a multimedia exhibition.

Community and Cultural Development Committee chairperson Ann-Maree Greaney said the successful grant applicants would benefit from a share of more than $45,000 worth of RADF funding.

“Council is committed to providing opportunities for the growth of local artists and giving them performance and exhibition platforms to showcase their skills and works, which is why we’re glad to deliver another round of RADF funding in partnership with the Queensland Government through Arts Queensland,” Cr Greaney said.

“Each of these applicants will deliver significant art projects that will help grow Townsville’s arts community and further our city’s reputation as a sustainable destination that embraces and participates in the arts.”