Creative groups, community organizations, and cultural practitioners across Central Highlands are being invited to apply for the first round of the 2026–27 Regional Arts Development Fund (RADF) to support local arts, culture, and heritage initiatives.
Delivered through a partnership between the Queensland Government through Arts Queensland and Central Highlands Regional Council, the RADF program provides funding for projects that create public value, strengthen creative skills, and support vibrant regional communities.
Over the years, RADF-supported initiatives have helped establish important cultural events and programs across the region, including the Mountain Magic Creative Muster and the Jewel of the Gemfields festival. These projects demonstrate the role of arts funding in building community connections and enriching local cultural experiences.
The latest funding round is open to a wide range of projects, including workshops, exhibitions, performances, festivals, storytelling activities, skills development programs, and cultural heritage projects. The initiative aims to help local creators transform ideas into meaningful community experiences.
Applications close on 30 August 2026 and will be reviewed by the Central Highlands Arts and Cultural Advisory Committee before final approval by the council. Successful applicants will be notified on 23 September 2026, providing new opportunities for artists and community groups to expand cultural activities across the region.
