Regional Arts Development Fund (RADF) Program

Artists: Varsha Rose, Jami Honey, Noah McDonald and Caroline Lieber

What is the Regional Arts Development Fund?

The Regional Arts Development Fund (RADF) is a partnership between the Queensland Government and Mareeba Shire Council to support local arts and culture in regional Queensland.

RADF promotes the role and value of arts, culture and heritage as key drivers of diverse and inclusive communities and strong regions. RADF drives social change and strengthens communities through community grants programs and council-led initiatives that:

  • Increase access to arts and cultural experiences in regional Queensland.
  • Grow employment and capacity building opportunities for artists across regional Queensland.
  • Deliver against local arts and cultural priorities and promote the value of arts, culture and heritage.

RADF Funding Streams

Creative Spaces Activation Program

The new Creative Space Activation Grant Program offers up to $1,000 for local artists, creatives, community groups and cultural organisations to activate spaces across Mareeba Shire with arts, culture and heritage projects.

From temporary exhibitions and workshops to live music, theatre and community art activities, we want to see creative ideas that bring people together and add vibrancy to our towns.

✅ Pop-up exhibitions
✅ Creative workshops
✅ Artist studios and maker spaces
✅ Live music and theatre performances
✅ Community arts activities

The program is open to applications from arts-based organisations, individuals, emerging or established artists or an arts or cultural worker, including sole traders and partnerships applying for projects in eligible town centres including precincts of Chillagoe, Dimbulah, Irvinebank, Julatten, Kuranda, Mareeba, and Mt Molloy.

What can the grant pay for?

Eligible project costs up to $1,000 can include:

  • Venue activation costs (venue hire fees, temporary signage)
  • Equipment hire (temporary fit-out equipment, tables, chairs etc.)
  • A portion of artist fees and facilitator costs (for the delivery workshops and community activities)
  • Artist Public Liability Insurance costs (pro-rata), compliance costs (permits).

Refer to the program guidelines for full eligibility criteria.

Key Dates

  • Applications open: 1 October 2026
    Applications close: 5pm, 27 May 2027 (or earlier if funds are fully allocated)
  • Projects must commence after 1 October 2026 and be completed by 22 October 2027.
  • Applications are to be submitted a minimum of 4 weeks before your proposed project.

Key Documents

 

Annual Community Grant Round

Mareeba Shire Council’s Regional Arts Development Fund (RADF) Community Grant Round for community-led arts, culture and heritage activities is open annually for applications for arts-based projects in the Mareeba Shire.

Arts, cultural, heritage and community organisations, arts and cultural workers and artists may apply for grants for community activities or for individual professional development activities.

A wide range of activities may be funded, including but not limited to creative skill development workshops, performances, events, planning and development activities.

Projects that respond to the RADF local priorities will be highly regarded.

Key Dates

  • The 2026 grant round is now closed.
  • Dependant on confirmed funding from Arts Queensland, the next grant round will open for application in mid-2027.

If you would like to register for updates about Council’s RADF program, please email communitywellbeing@msc.qld.gov.au

Key Documents

What projects have received a RADF Grant in the past?

A list of previous community grant recipients and community grant case studies are available to view below.

Questions?

If you have any questions or you would like to register for updates about Council’s RADF program, please email communitywellbeing@msc.qld.gov.au or phone Council’s Senior Communities Officer on 1300 308 461.

RADF Outcome Reports

A summary of outcomes from previous funding rounds are located below.

What does the RADF Advisory Committee do?

The RADF Advisory Committee provides information and advice to Council about the development of the arts, culture and heritage sector in the Mareeba Shire.  The Committee actively assists in the implementation of the RADF Program by reviewing and assessing community grant applications against standard criteria and making recommendations for funding.

Artist: Lavinia Letheby