Keep communities safe

The Queensland Government investment in programs and in partnership with local councils and community groups are supporting and encouraging safe and inclusive communities through activities which increase participation in the arts, support disadvantaged Queenslanders, enhance social connection and build the attractiveness of our communities. These activities are supported by investment in cultural infrastructure which creates public spaces for arts production and engagement for all Queenslanders.

Celebrating our Community’s Heritage and Identity – Thallon Silos Mural

A new artwork on Thallon’s giant grain silos is enlivening the local community and serving as a cultural tourism drawcard for the area.

New approach to regional arts service delivery kicks off in Queensland

The Palaszczuk Government has today announced eight regions across the state that will benefit from a new network that will further support the arts in regional areas.

Jumpers and Jazz in July festival 2017

Since 2004, Warwick’s annual Jazz & Jumpers in July festival has engaged the local community and attracted increasing numbers of tourists to the region. The 2017 festival was the largest yet.

Kuranda Youth Arts Engagement Program

Participation in the Kuranda Youth Arts Engagement Program during the school holidays provided opportunities for young people to engage in safe group activities and develop their skills.

Laughter in the Outback

Barcoo shire found laughter is the best medicine when they hosted a comedy night and workshop for residents.

Just us project

A street art project in Coen has strengthened relationships between the community and police, created a new artwork and increased community pride.

Enlivening our communities

Regional Arts Service Network

The Regional Arts Services Network (RASN) is a new approach to delivering statewide arts services. With a Queensland Government funding commitment of $6.5 million over four years from 2017-18, RASN is a network of regional arts service providers who, along with the State Coordination Office, will:

Work together to deliver on-the-ground arts services in their communities
Work with the local arts sector, community and key stakeholders to determine specific arts and cultural priorities for their region
Drive regional development priorities specific to individual regions
Employ dedicated regional arts officers
Empower local communities
Leverage the value of the arts to achieve social and economic outcomes
Unlock new or untapped opportunities/resources
Partner with local council and communities.

We are Queensland Grants

The We Are Queensland Grants program supports Queenslanders to be more involved in their communities and encourages a society where everyone is respected and welcome to make a positive and valued contribution to the community.

Regional Arts Development Fund

The Regional Arts Development Fund is a long-running partnership between the Queensland Government and local governments to support local talent, unite communities and celebrate the arts across the state.The Fund supports arts and cultural activities that:

provide public value for Queensland communities
build local cultural capacity, cultural innovation and community pride
deliver Queensland Government objectives for the community
promote the role and value of arts, culture and heritage as key drivers of diverse and inclusive communities and strong regions.

Indigenous Regional Arts Development Fund (IRADF)

Part of the Backing Indigenous Arts initiative, IRADF is a partnership between the Queensland Government, through Arts Queensland, the Torres Strait Regional Authority and Aboriginal Councils and host organisations throughout Queensland.

Support for touring arts events

Playing Queensland Fund

Arts Queensland’s Playing Queensland Fund spports the delivery of performing and visual arts projects that are ready to tour and have demonstrated community interest and confirmed demand. The Fund:

maximises opportunities for regional Queensland communities to experience high quality arts events
aims to increase the number and reach of touring activities
supports tours with a strong demonstration of demand
creates employment and training opportunities for Queensland artists and arts workers.

Building our cultural infrastructure

New performing arts centre

In 2018, the Queensland Government announced funding of $125 million towards a new $150 million theatre to be located on the Playhouse Green site at the Queensland Performing Arts Centre, Brisbane. The new theatre presents the unique opportunity to create Queensland’s largest performing arts centre and will further bolster Queensland’s cultural vibrancy, support our local arts sector and drive cultural tourism.

Regional infrastructure

The Queensland Government is committed to ensuring quality cultural infrastructure in regional communities with a commitment to support a new art gallery in Rockhampton and the new Cairns Performing Arts Centre.

Maintain our cultural assets

The Queensland Government committed $20.75 million towards maintaining essential services and infrastructure, and introducing sustainability initiatives across the $1.2 billion Queensland Cultural Centre in the 2018-19 State Budget.

Reconciliation and preservation of languages

Department of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Partnerships funding

With an allocation of $1 million (2017-2020), Department of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Partnerships funding is supporting a range of whole-of-government and community-based Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultural and reconciliation activities and is helping to preserve Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander languages.