A City of the Arts Hero Project grant of $24,500 has been awarded to the collective, Sixfold Project, to support an exhibition and community events by six renowned visual artists at NorthSite Contemporary Arts gallery.
The Meanwhile Project exhibition, scheduled for 18 November 2022 to 31 January 2023, will feature a range of individual contemporary artworks, and two major collaborative pieces by artists, Barbara Dover, Jennifer Valmadre, Julie Poulsen, Louisa Ennis-Thomas, Raewyn Biggs, and Rose Rigley.
The exhibition will be complemented by a range of community activities, including workshops for adults and children, artist talks and a panel discussion, which aim to contribute to a robust reputation of Cairns as a cultural and creative hub and drive development of the local creative industry.
Seven local community organisations, artists and entertainers including urban sketchers, aerial artists and playwrights, will also share in approximately $60,000 from the Regional Arts Development Fund (RADF) program.
Cairns Urban Sketchers will use the funds for Sketchfest – an exhibition at The Court House gallery presenting artworks focused on historic buildings of the Cairns CBD. The project will also include a co-exhibition and workshops with the Cairns Sister City of Scottsdale, USA.
The latest round of funding will also support an original circus performance by Far North Air Cats Inc featuring 11 local artists with highly developed physical skills and creative talent, and a research project culminating in the creation of a manuscript by Maria Larkins which will celebrate the legacy of Charles Dalton Lynch and his contribution to architecture in Tropical Far North Queensland.
Delivered as a partnership between Arts Queensland (State Government) and Cairns Regional Council, RADF promotes the role and value of arts, culture and heritage in the community as drivers of diversity and inclusiveness.
Mayor Bob Manning said the latest round of funding will assist a broad array of creative projects that will contribute to the development of visual arts, heritage preservation and performing arts in the region.
“Hundreds of local projects have over the years been assisted by RADF grants, which deliver positive outcomes for communities across the region,” Cr Manning said.
“These successful projects represent a chance for people to engage with the vibrancy and depth of our arts community.”
Minister for the Arts Leeanne Enoch said the Palaszczuk Government was investing $2.08 million through the Regional Arts Development Fund (RADF) in 2021-22, matched with a contribution of approximately $2.3 million from 59 councils across the state.
“RADF is a great example of working together to deliver our COVID-19 economic recovery plan, supporting employment opportunities and creating new arts and cultural experiences in local and regional communities,” Minister Enoch said.
“RADF in 2021-2022 will provide valuable social, health and economic outcomes for regional Queenslanders, and support our Government’s 10-year arts roadmap priorities to strengthen Queensland communities, activate local places and drive social change across the state,” she said.
