Regional Arts Fund
The Regional Arts Fund (RAF) is supporting sustainable cultural development in communities across regional, remote and isolated parts of Australia.
A key focus is to encourage the formation of productive partnerships to support home-grown arts activities and the creation of networks to reduce isolation, exchange ideas and publicise opportunities.
The program also assists the professional development of, and provides employment opportunities for, artists based in regional areas.
Providing opportunities for community members to learn arts and broader skills is another RAF priority. With RAF support, professional artists provide workshops and collaborate with community participants on a wide range of creative projects.
Creative Volunteering—No Limits, an accredited training program, assists the thousands of volunteers who manage community-based cultural organisations and activities to upgrade their skills in subjects such as business planning, fund-raising, marketing and planning an event.
Regional Arts Australia
, the peak national organisation promoting the development of the arts for the one-in-three Australians who live in regional, rural and remote parts of the country, also receives support through the RAF for its biennial national regional arts conference.
Run on the ground by state-based organisations
While the Department of Environment, Water, Heritage and the Arts is responsible for the Regional Arts Fund, it is delivered by the peak regional arts organisation in each state, and by arts departments in the territories.
Who can apply?
Regionally-based artists, arts workers and organisations can apply for professional development assistance and creative arts projects involving community participants in regional and remote Australia.
Eligibility and selection criteria vary from state to state.
What funds are available?
The state and territory regional arts organisations administer the Regional Arts Fund money.
Decisions on the administration of the fund are at the discretion of each regional arts organisation, working to a general framework established by the Australian Government.
In most states and territories, two funding rounds are held each year (closing in March and August) for a variety of RAF funding programs tailored for each state/territory. Assessment panels in each state and territory assess applications and make decisions on funding.
Funding is also available for small quick response grants.
How can I find out more?
You will find information about Regional Arts Fund support, including guidelines and application forms, from the regional arts organisation in your state or territory: artsACT, Arts NT, Country Arts SA, Country Arts WA, Queensland Arts Council, Regional Arts NSW, Regional Arts Victoria, and Tasmanian Regional Arts.
We strongly advise you to discuss your project with your state’s RAF funding arts organisation before you spend time examining the details of each funding round, the funding guidelines and application forms.
Acknowledging support
The requirements for acknowledging Regional Arts Fund funding are important – you’ll find the requirements in the guidelines provided by your state arts organisation, and the logos on the ‘Regional Arts Fund logos’ page under ‘In this section’ on the right.
In this section
Related links
Contacts
The Program Officer
Regional Arts Fund
GPO Box 787
Canberra ACT 2601
Tel: 02 6275 9563
Fax: 02 6275 9663
