The Douglas Theatre Arts Group is the recipient of a $12,000 grant from Cairns Regional Council as part of a $115,000 distribution of money through the Regional Arts Development Fund (RADF).

The funding will allow the group to produce 'Mano Nera', a Jack Heywood play based on actual events in the 1930s in Ingham, when brutal Mafia-like tactics were used by a few to extort money from farmers and business people.

President of the Douglas Theatre Arts Group and producer of Mano Nera or 'The Black Hand', Claire Tierney, said that the grant means a lot to the small committee.

"It's really exciting. We just couldn't afford to put the production on last year so we had to pull it.

"What this means is that we can now pay community rates for the direction, production and lighting, and all the money that the show makes can go back into the Clink coffers (for future productions)."

The Douglas Shire Council Community Services Association also received a grant of $1,700 for a project to employ highly skilled beaders to train community groups in the creation of beaded works.

Mayor Val Schier said the 18 RADF grants, designed to support professional artists and arts workers, were a wonderful collaboration between State and Local governments. 

“This program supports the distinct culture of tropical art and ensures that it continues to develop in far northern communities," Cr Schier said.

“The artists and art workers have nominated some wonderful projects for this round of grants.  We look forward to seeing the final outcomes.”