A new cohort of experienced creatives will soon join the Sunshine Coast Regional Arts Development Fund (RADF) assessment panel and provide funding recommendations to help shape the flourishing arts ecology of the Sunshine Coast.
RADF is a partnership between the Queensland Government and local councils to support arts and culture in regional Queensland, with funding provided to support the development of emerging and established artists, creative practitioners and producers.
The new assessment panel members are established artists, producers, arts educators and managers Ashleigh Musk, Margaret Turner, Kellie O’Dempsey, Melissa Lanham, Bronwyn Edinger and Melanie Myers. The new members join existing member Murray Power and a member of council’s Creative Arts and Events team.
Community Portfolio Councillor Rick Baberowski said the new RADF assessment panel members brought a range of expertise that reflected the diverse arts and culture of the region.
“We are fortunate to have such a broad and talented creative arts sector to draw from,” Cr Baberowski said.
“I welcome our new assessment panel members who, together with existing members, have a great understanding of the creative and cultural potential of our region.
“Our RADF grants program is highly competitive, which is a strong reflection of the growing arts sector we have here on the Sunshine Coast.
“I’m sure the assessment panel will have a challenging, but extremely rewarding, job ahead of them when assessing the grant applications.”
New panel member Ashleigh Musk (pictured) said she was really looking forward to working closely with the panel to facilitate the growth of the Sunshine Coast arts community.
“With Council’s visionary 20 year arts plan firmly in place, it feels like an incredibly exciting time for Sunshine Coast arts – for artists and audiences alike,” Musk said.
“The community here is really dynamic and it’s so important to continue supporting regional art making and creativity, especially when there is so much creative potential here on the Sunshine Coast.
“It’s a pleasure to play a very small part in celebrating and developing this unique and diverse sector.”
RADF assessment panel members:
- Ashleigh Musk: dance, festivals, cultural development
- Margaret Turner: visual arts, design, digital media
- Kellie O’Dempsey: interdisciplinary, digital media, visual arts, education
- Melissa Lanham: dance, theatre, arts sector development
- Bronwyn Edinger: theatre, music, festivals, arts management
- Melanie Myers: literature, theatre, education
- Murray Power: screen, music, festivals.
The RADF assessment panel meets three times per year to assess grant applications.
RADF grants are available for Concept Development, Project Funding, Seed Funding, Individual Development and Mentorship Funding.
Applications can be submitted any time, with three assessment rounds closing March 1, July 1 and November 1.
Assessment panel members, other than the council panel member, may serve for a maximum term of four years, with an option to step down after two years.
One position on the panel remains vacant and council is continuing to actively recruit for a First Nations Arts representative.
