Community - 26/27 RADF Grant - Round 1 (eligible activities between 1 July 26 & 28 Feb 27)

The Regional Arts Development Fund (RADF) is delivered as a partnership between the Queensland Government through Arts Queensland and Council. RADF promotes the role and value of arts, culture and heritage as key drivers of diverse and inclusive communities across Queensland.

RADF will only fund up to 65% of the total funding of the project unless otherwise specified.

The Program is open for applications over 3 rounds during the 2026/27 Financial Year.

• Round 1 is open from 1 July to 30 September for eligible activities between 1 November to 28 February
• Round 2 is open from 1 November to 31 January for eligible activities between 1 March to 30 June
• Round 3 is open from 1 March to 31 May for eligible activities between 1 July to 31 October

Applications must be received prior to the activity taking place. Applications for activities that have already occurred will not be considered.

The RADF Grant Program is delivered in accordance with Council's Community Support Policy.

• Development and delivery of diverse, exciting, and accessible arts and cultural activities, projects, and initiatives for, by and with local communities
• Value adding arts and culture into existing non-arts projects or events that could support growing new audiences or markets
• Strategic arts and culture initiatives in local communities (example: increasing amenity, community pride and liveability of local areas through infrastructure, public art, place-making projects)
• Regional initiatives or programs to deliver cross-regional arts and cultural-led outcomes
• Professional, career and capacity development opportunities for local artists and arts workers
• Engagement of key target groups such as young people or CALO communities or programs targeting geographic locations
• Recruitment of specialist expertise to support, develop and/or produce arts and cultural-driven outcomes.

The following are not eligible for funding through the RADF Program:

• Applicants who have failed to acquit previous RADF grants.
• Activities that commence before Council approval is given.
• School arts activities EXCEPT where those activities form part of broader community cultural development processes or are part of professional arts development.
• Framing or freight - only a small proportion of these costs can be covered as part of presentation costs for significant exhibitions. As a guide only, 10% of the total framing and freight costs.
• Catering costs, openings, launches, and parties are not eligible for RADF grants, even if they are part of an exhibition or community project.
• Entertainment - funding is not available to pay for entertainment for events e.g. musicians.
• Competitions (including Eisteddfods) - they are prolific and could monopolise funds. The competitive environment does not necessarily nurture emerging artists, as there is generally only one winner.
• Cannot purchase capital items, e.g. equipment, buildings, or vehicles. EXCEPTION: Capital items can be funded only when they are included as part of a project application and when the RADF committee considers the purchase integral to that project, and where the item will remain for community use.
• Publishing costs - requests for grant to publish books should be directed to organization that provide print-on-demand services. A small portion of printing costs are eligible as part of the presentation costs for significant projects. As a guide up 10% of the total publishing costs will be considered.
• Recurrent funding for arts organisations - operational expenses are ineligible under RADF including wages for permanent staff and office expenses. However, local arts and cultural organisations that have regular community activities may apply for funding annually for different projects which have a project management component.
• Summer/Winter schools - not supported more than two places a year.
• Accredited study, training, or university courses - RADF does not fund the primary training of artists, only their professional development once they are practicing.
• Requests to cover more than 65% of the total funding project/activity; or
• Workshops with arts and cultural service organisations that are part of the organisation's 'core business' - Arts Queensland has already funded these organisations to deliver core services. Please call local cultural service organisations to find out what services they can offer that are not 'core business'.

• Wherever possible, all funded activities must begin within the financial year
• Grants can be withdrawn if an activity is unduly delayed. To reapply, applications are required to be submitted in the following year.
• Acknowledgement of the support received through the RADF program is required to be in all publicity regarding the activity and as part of the outcomes presented to the community

In the event circumstances change and the activity cannot be carried out exactly as described in the application, the following must be completed:

• Notify the RADF Committee through Council’s RADF Liaison Officer in writing or by email
• Receive approval of any changes before beginning the activity
• Request to complete a new application form; and
• Return the funds and re-submit the application in the next round.

If the application is changed without approval, Council may request the funds be returned.

All RADF funded activities are required to complete an Outcome Report, which is provided by Whitsunday Regional Council. The Outcome Report includes information about the success of the project/activity, budget and support material which are required to be submitted to Council within eight (8) weeks of the completion of the project/activity. Receipts are to be supplied to account for the expenditure of money received from RADF.

Failing to acquit the grant makes the applicant ineligible to apply for future funding through RADF and Arts Queensland. In some circumstances, repayment of the grant may be required.

Before completing this application form, you should have read the program guidelines.

Incomplete applications and/or applications received after the closing date will not be considered.

This section of the application form is designed to help you, and us, understand if you are eligible for this grant. 

If you have any questions regarding the eligibility criteria or application process, please contact the Sport, Recreation & Community Development team on 1300 972 753.

Please have your application number on hand when contacting Council regarding your grant application.

Before proceeding, please confirm the following:

• you have read and understood the program guidelines 
• you are able to demonstrate alignment between your project and the aims of this program
• you are a professional artist, emerging professional artist, arts worker, cultural worker or project coordinator who is either a permanent resident or Australian citizen and have an Australian Business Number (ABN) or will be under auspice of an incorporated organisation or individual with an ABN
• your arts and cultural group or organisation is incorporated or will be under auspice by an incorporated organisation for the purposes of this application
• your organisation is located in (and/or supplies services to) the Whitsunday Regional Council area
• you do not owe any reports or money to Whitsunday Regional Council
• you have the appropriate type and level of insurance for the activities that are the subject of this grant