More than $30,000 to boost Noosa’s arts with latest RADF grants

Seven Noosa arts projects have shared in just over $30,500 in Council’s latest round of Regional Arts Development Fund grants. 

The 40 Under 40 Exhibition at the Butter Factory Arts Centre in January 2020 was a great success. Thanks to RADF funding, the popular exhibition will be held again in 2021.

A program to bring new mums and their babies together in song is among the latest list of projects funded.

Lullaby Ensemble organiser, Alison Burnley, said the $4900 grant would allow her to make the program a reality.

“When my youngest was born I was singing him to sleep and an idea was born. The RADF funding will enable me to make that idea a reality and I am so excited about collaborating with local artists to pilot The Lullaby Ensemble,” she said.

“Mamas will learn folk lullabies from around the globe, singing to their newborns, creating sublime harmonies, unearthing their creativity and offering a much-needed opportunity to connect with other new mums.”

Other projects given a boost this round include a Gold Moves Australia initiative to promote dance programs for older people, plus a photographic exhibition capturing the resilient spirit of Noosa residents during the 2019 bushfires.

“Programs for the younger age groups also feature, including the edgy 40 Under 40 Exhibition, which will showcase 40 artworks by local artists all aged under 40,” Council’s RADF Chair Cr Karen Finzel said.

“That exciting project will be on show in Cooroy in January next year.”

The Hinterland Art Group’s RADF grant will fund its Great Upcycling Challenge. It will feature an exhibition and workshop series on upcycling and transforming recycled materials into works of art.

“This is a fantastic example of art being used to convey a very important message about reducing our waste and either reusing or repurposing materials that all too often are condemned to landfill,” Cr Finzel said.

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

“Council is pleased to be able to fund this latest collection of arts projects, all of which will add greatly to Noosa’s rich cultural arts offering.”