RADF
The Regional Arts Development Fund (RADF) is a partnership between the Queensland Government and Charters Towers Regional Council to support local arts and culture in regional Queensland.
RADF promotes the value of arts, culture and heritage as key drivers of social change and strong, diverse and inclusive regional communities. From 2015, Councils have delivered locally tailored RADF programs based on the identified priorities, opportunities, and capacities of their local communities. This means that RADF may look different place to place as to best respond to the ways of working and aspirations of local communities.
RADF is a flexible fund inclusive of all relevant artform areas including visual art, craft and design, music, dance, writing, dramatic and physical theatre, media art, film and television, multi-arts, festivals, public art, community cultural development, and heritage and collections including museums, galleries and libraries.
For further information on RADF please contact Council. For information on other Arts Queensland programs and opportunities please visit www.arts.qld.gov.au.
What are the RADF Objectives?
RADF objectives are to:
- increase access to arts and cultural experiences in regional Queensland
- grow employment and capacity building opportunities for artists and arts workers across regional Queensland
- deliver on local arts and cultural priorities and promote the value of arts, culture and heritage.
How are RADF applications assessed?
All applications are assessed by the local RADF Committee against the equally weighted criteria shown below. The indicators listed are a sample of the evidence needed to achieve each criterion:
High Quality
- Produces or contributes to high-quality arts and cultural initiatives for local communities.
- Proven capacity to effectively support and deliver arts and cultural services.
- Evidence of delivery against local arts and cultural priorities.
Strong Impact
- Creates new employment opportunities and skills development for artists and arts workers in Queensland.
- Builds new audiences, markets and reputation for Queensland arts and cultures.
- Demonstrates community demand and stakeholder involvement in RADF priority setting, decision making and evaluation.
- Where applicable, demonstrates support for activities that involve Aboriginal people and Torres Strait Islander people, including adhering to cultural protocols.
- Helps deliver government priorities including alignment to Creative Together and the principles of the Cultural Engagement Framework.
Sustainable Value
- Demonstrates value for money.
- Demonstrates sound governance, and ethical business practices, including paying amounts not less than industry award rates, recommended or agreed minimum rates.
- Proposed activity has a strong delivery plan, including understanding potential risks and their management.
Who Can Apply for Funding
Individuals and organisations applying for RADF funding must meet the following eligibility requirements:
- Be based in the local council area, or if based outside the local council area, are able to demonstrate how the project will directly benefit arts and culture in the local council area.
- Be a permanent resident or Australian citizen.
- Have an Australian Business Number (ABN).
- Incorporated cultural organisations or individuals.
- Unincorporated organisations or individuals, auspiced by an incorporated body.
Local Priorities
Preference will be given to applications that address one or more of the following local priorities:
- Strengthening our community by creating partnerships
- Sharing stories and celebrating our history
- Activating local places and spaces
- Elevating First Nations arts
Priority Target Groups
Preference will be given to applications that address one or more of the following priority target groups:
- Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander People
- Children and Young People (0-25 years)
- Older People (over 55 years)
- Regional Queenslanders
- People with Disabilities
- Tourists
2025-2026 RADF Funding Rounds
The current Application Package can be downloaded here(PDF, 1MB), along with the Application Form here(PDF, 289KB). All activities that receive RADF funding are required to complete and submit an Outcome Report within eight (8) weeks of project completion. An Outcome Report template can be found here(PDF, 262KB).
For enquiries or Word versions of the Application Form or Outcome Report, contact Council's RADF Liaison Officer at mail@charterstowers.qld.gov.au.
Successful RADF Applications
Charters Towers Regional Council RADF Program approved eight (8) applications for funding in the 2024-2025 year, details of which can be viewed here(PDF, 153KB). Funded projects from previous years can be found here(PDF, 221KB). These projects may inspire future applications for community projects.
If you have an idea for a project or would like support in completing a RADF application, contact Council’s RADF Liaison Officer, Kathy Thorley, on 07 4761 5300 or mail@charterstowers.qld.gov.au for assistance.