The skills of young circus performers and local museum curators are both set for a boost with funding from the Regional Arts Development Fund (RADF).
RADF is a partnership between the Queensland Government and Ipswich City Council to support local arts and culture in regional Queensland. Arts and Community Development Committee Chairperson Cr Kylie Stoneman said grants under the Regional Arts Development Fund program were awarded to:
- Circus Ipswich: $7,600 towards the cost of running circus skills workshops for children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). Circus Ipswich will collaborate with occupational therapists and experts in the field of ASD to deliver a 10-week workshop series in Ipswich for up to 15 children. The project will also undertake professional development for circus trainers to run ongoing workshops for children with ASD, and develop a plan and partnerships with local business and other community groups to sustain ongoing workshops.
- Museum and Gallery Services Queensland Ltd: $10,840 towards the cost of undertaking a Standards Review Program in Ipswich to work with local participating organisations including RAAF Amberley Aviation Heritage Centre, Ipswich Grammar School Archives and Museum, Ipswich Soldiers Memorial Hall Museum, Ipswich Hospital Museum and Ipswich Historical Society. The objective of the program is to engage museum and gallery professionals to work with M&G Qld on developing participants’ museum practice. This voluntary program will assist participating museums and galleries to improve their practice, raise their profile, develop future planning and strengthen community networks.
Cr Stoneman said the grants would help promote and celebrate a sense of belonging to the Ipswich community. “Circus Ipswich will provide a great opportunity, not only for these kids, but for the creation of a sustainable service into the future. That’s great news for local families of kids on the ASD spectrum.
“The grant to M&G Queensland will enable participating organisations to work with the peak body to strengthen their museum practice. I’m pleased the dedicated volunteers who keep these great museums and galleries running will receive this extra support.
The RADF program is a partnership between Ipswich City Council and Arts Queensland with each providing $40,000 in 2017-18 to support the development of art and culture in Ipswich. For more information on how to apply, visit www.ipswich.qld.gov.au
The Queensland Government, through Arts Queensland, is contributing $2.08 million to the 2017-18 RADF partnership across 59 councils statewide.
