Cairns Regional Council last week presented nearly $86,000 in funding to 11 community organisations and individuals in the latest round of the Regional Arts Development Fund (RADF) grants.

Mayor Bob Manning said the successful projects highlighted the range of creative talent in the Cairns region and the inclusive nature of the arts.

“In particular, Tropical Arts Association Inc will use its $15,000 grant to put on a community performance event in conjunction with ARC Disability Services, Song Connection, FNQ Volunteers and Lush Cabaret, among others,” Cr Manning said.

“It will allow people who have never been on stage before the opportunity to perform.

“Other successful projects will help to hone the skills of our talented locals, to showcase their creations locally and beyond and encourage interest in our local history and cultures.”

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Queensland Minister for the Arts Ros Bates said RADF was Australia's only locally-delivered regional arts program.

“In 2011-2012, the Queensland Government allocation to RADF is $2.047 million, with another $1.5 million from 55 Queensland councils, meaning more than $3.5 million is available for arts projects across the state,” Ms Bates said.

“From its beginnings in 1991, RADF now supports more than 3000 arts and cultural projects each year in communities across Queensland.”

The Regional Arts Development Fund is a partnership between Cairns Regional Council and the Queensland Government through Arts Queensland to support local arts and culture.

Successful RADF grant recipients were:

The Centre for Australasian Theatre - $14,440
The Colony is a new inter-cultural and inter-disciplinary theatre production to be premiered at JUTE.

Made to Move Cairns - $1920                 
Dance initiative to support creative dance amongst older adults in Cairns. The project will employ professional, Glen Murray, to assist to establish a permanent contemporary dance group for mature artists, based in Cairns.      

Tropical Arts Association Inc - $15,000           
Tropical Surreal is a community performance event, connected to A Midsummer Night’s Dream. Professional Arts workers will liaise with community participants, such as ARC Disability, Song Connection, FNQ Volunteers and Lush Cabaret.        

Cairns Historical Society - $10,780
Development of an interpretation plan for a renewed Cairns Museum. The plan will encompass concepts such as developing contemporary museum displays and programs and exploring new technologies that may assist the Museum to share its collections.

Douglas Arts Incorporated - $6250      
Engaging senior Press printmaker, to the Douglas Arts Base in Mossman to conduct printmaking workshops. The project will include the development of new skills and learning how to reproduce affordable prints as sellable art and limited edition prints as collectable art pieces.                      

Far North Side Collective - $3483         
Presenting a group exhibition of Cairns Contemporary Artists in Melbourne gallery Melbourne Art Rooms. The exhibition will boost the profile of Cairns contemporary artists by directly engaging with the highly lucrative Melbourne art market

Walters Family Group - $11,543                         
A valuable public exhibition of the Walters Family and other Torres Strait Islanders, who migrated to Cairns before World War II. The exhibition will be presented at the Tanks Arts Centre and will showcase the significant contributions the Torres Strait Islanders made to the heritage of Cairns

Marilyn Davidson - $10,948        
The production and promotion of a professional recording of original compositions. A young indigenous singer will be mentored to perform on the CD.

Australian Sewing Guild - $825             
A professional arts worker will work with the Cairns groups of the Australian Sewing Guild to broaden the skills and creativity by teaching a specific computer program.    

Douglas Historical Society - $3000      
Researching new technologies to present the Douglas Shire Historical Society's historical facts and photos.          

Douglas Theatre Arts Group Inc - $7791        
Presenting the 2012 version of the Douglas Theatre Arts Groups highly successful play Too Good to be True as a part of the Eclipse Festival and 20th anniversary.