Submit Entries for Regional Arts Development Fund (Australia)

The Regional Arts Development Fund (RADF) in the Mackay Regional Council area provides grants of up to $13,000 for arts, culture, heritage, creative development, environmental arts, and youth-focused projects. RADF can fund up to 65% of eligible project costs, with applicants required to provide at least 35% co-contribution, including eligible in-kind support. The 2026/2027 priorities include local creative content, cultural tourism, professional development, inclusive arts, placemaking, green arts, and creative opportunities for young people.

What Is the Regional Arts Development Fund?

The Regional Arts Development Fund (RADF) is a Queensland Government and local council partnership delivered through Arts Queensland and participating councils.

In the Mackay Regional Council area, the program supports artists, creative practitioners, cultural organisations, community groups and other eligible applicants to develop projects that provide public cultural value and strengthen the local creative sector.

The fund recognises arts, culture and heritage as important contributors to:

• Community wellbeing
• Regional economic development
• Cultural tourism
• Local identity and storytelling
• Creative employment and professional development
• Inclusive community participation
• Environmental awareness
• Activation of public and community spaces

What Are the 2026/2027 RADF Priorities in Mackay?

For 2026/2027, Mackay’s local RADF priorities focus on projects that strengthen the region’s creative and cultural ecosystem.

Priority areas include:

• Locally driven content: Supporting the development of local creative content and cultural tourism products.
• Lifelong learning and career development: Creating opportunities for artists and community members to develop skills and professional pathways.
• Accessible and inclusive arts: Supporting activities that improve community wellbeing and participation.
• Cultural tourism: Developing creative projects that contribute to tourism and the local economy.
• Placemaking: Using arts and culture to activate, transform and improve local spaces.

Projects that clearly address one or more of these priorities are likely to demonstrate stronger alignment with the program.

What Projects Can RADF Support?

RADF funding is available across five main categories.

Professional Development

This category supports activities that improve the skills, knowledge and professional opportunities of artists and creative practitioners.

Examples include:

• Seminars
• Masterclasses
• Mentorships
• Residencies
• Professional training
• Creative development opportunities

Projects and Programs

This category supports community-focused arts and cultural activities.

Examples may include:

• Community arts workshops
• Innovative creative projects
• Cultural programs
• Local storytelling projects
• Documentation of local stories
• Community cultural activities

Concept Development and Creation of New Work

Funding can support the development of new artistic ideas and creative works.

Eligible activities may include:

• Research
• Concept development
• Creative experimentation
• Development of new artistic works
• Early-stage project development

Green Arts

The Green Arts category supports environmentally focused creative projects.

Projects may explore subjects such as:

• Local biodiversity
• Environmental conservation
• Climate awareness
• Sustainability
• Environmental storytelling
• Community connections with nature

Young People

This category supports people aged 12 to 25 in developing creative careers and participating in youth-led creative activities.

Projects may focus on:

• Creative career pathways
• Peer-led arts projects
• Skills development
• Youth cultural activities
• Emerging creative practitioners

How Much Funding Is Available?

Eligible applicants can request up to $13,000.

RADF funding can cover up to 65% of the total eligible project costs.

Applicants must contribute at least 35% of total project costs. Eligible in-kind contributions may count toward this contribution where permitted.

For example, if a project costs $20,000:

• RADF contribution: up to $13,000
• Applicant contribution: at least $7,000
• Total project cost: $20,000

The requested RADF amount should therefore be supported by a realistic project budget and evidence of the applicant’s capacity to provide the required contribution.

Who Is Eligible?

The program can support a broad range of applicants connected to the Mackay Regional Council area.

Eligible applicants may include:

• Individual artists
• Producers
• Creative practitioners
• Arts and cultural organisations
• Businesses
• Community groups
• Collectives
• Registered not-for-profit organisations

Applicants must generally meet the relevant residency, regional benefit and citizenship requirements.

Applicants should reside in the Mackay Regional Council area or demonstrate a clear and meaningful benefit to the Mackay community.

Eligible individuals are required to be Australian citizens or permanent residents and generally need an ABN or an eligible auspice arrangement.

An auspice arrangement can allow an eligible organisation to formally support an applicant or project where the applicant does not independently meet certain administrative requirements.

What Makes a Strong RADF Project?

A competitive application should clearly explain what will happen, who will benefit, why the project matters and how it will be delivered.

Strong proposals should demonstrate:

• High artistic or creative quality
• Clear community benefit
• Alignment with Mackay’s local priorities
• Meaningful audience or participant reach
• A realistic and achievable budget
• Appropriate project planning
• Capacity to deliver the proposed activities
• Contribution to the local creative sector
• Long-term or sustainable benefits where relevant

Projects should avoid being purely individual activities with limited public or community value unless they clearly fit an eligible professional development or creative development category.

What Activities Are Not Eligible?

Certain activities are excluded from RADF funding.

Examples include:

• Projects that do not involve appropriate First Nations or cultural leadership or partnership where such involvement is relevant
• Activities that begin before funding approval
• School arts activities unless they form part of a broader community development initiative
• Accredited study
• Competitions
• Awards
• Fundraising activities
• Most capital purchases
• Activities that do not provide sufficient benefit to the Mackay region

Capital expenditure may only be considered in limited circumstances where the purchase is integral to the delivery of an eligible project.

Applicants should check the specific program guidelines before including equipment or other capital costs in the budget.

Why Does the RADF Program Matter?

RADF provides regional artists and creative organisations with access to funding that can be difficult to secure through commercial sources.

The program can help turn creative concepts into practical community projects while strengthening Mackay’s broader cultural ecosystem.

Its potential benefits include:

• Developing emerging and established creative practitioners
• Creating opportunities for professional development
• Preserving and sharing local stories
• Increasing community participation in arts and culture
• Supporting cultural tourism
• Encouraging environmental awareness through creative practice
• Providing young people with creative career opportunities
• Activating public and community spaces
• Strengthening regional creative industries

How to Apply for Mackay RADF Funding

Applicants should prepare their proposal around the program’s eligibility requirements and assessment criteria.

Step 1: Choose the Appropriate Funding Category

Determine whether the proposed activity fits:

1. Professional Development
2. Projects and Programs
3. Concept Development/Creation of New Work
4. Green Arts
5. Young People

Selecting the correct category helps demonstrate that the project directly meets the purpose of the funding stream.

Step 2: Define the Project

Clearly describe:

• What you want to do
• Why you want to do it
• Where it will happen
• Who will participate
• Who will benefit
• What outcomes you expect
• How the project addresses local RADF priorities

Step 3: Prepare the Budget

Create a realistic project budget covering expected income and expenditure.

Make sure the budget demonstrates:

• The amount requested from RADF
• The applicant’s contribution
• Any eligible in-kind contribution
• Other confirmed or potential funding
• Artist and practitioner fees
• Materials and production costs
• Venue or equipment costs where eligible
• Marketing or audience engagement costs where applicable

Step 4: Demonstrate Local Benefit

Explain how the project will benefit Mackay residents, artists, communities or the local creative economy.

Where relevant, identify:

• Local participants
• Local artists
• Community partners
• Cultural organisations
• Tourism opportunities
• Youth participation
• Environmental outcomes

Step 5: Demonstrate Project Viability

Show that the project can realistically be completed.

Include appropriate information about:

• Timeline
• Responsibilities
• Partners
• Resources
• Budget
• Risk management
• Audience development
• Evaluation

Step 6: Submit the Application

Complete the relevant RADF application process and provide all required supporting information before the applicable deadline.

Applicants should ensure that the project does not commence before the required approval is received.

RADF Assessment Criteria

Applications are assessed according to factors including:

• Quality: The artistic and creative strength of the proposal.
• Reach: The number and diversity of people who may participate or benefit.
• Impact: The expected cultural, social, economic or environmental outcomes.
• Viability: Whether the project has a realistic budget, plan and capacity for successful delivery.

An application should address these areas directly rather than assuming assessors will infer the benefits from the project description.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Applicants can improve their proposals by avoiding common application weaknesses.

Starting the project too early: Do not incur project expenses or commence activities before the required approval.

Weak local connection: Explain specifically how the project benefits Mackay and its communities.

Unclear budget: Ensure every major expense is explained and that the 35% contribution is achievable.

Ignoring the local priorities: Connect the project directly to the 2026/2027 priorities where relevant.

Overlooking eligibility rules: Check whether activities such as accredited study, fundraising, competitions or capital purchases are excluded.

Insufficient community benefit: Explain the project’s public value rather than focusing only on the applicant’s personal creative goals.

Unrealistic outcomes: Set measurable and achievable objectives that correspond with the available funding and project timeframe.

Key Facts About Mackay RADF

• Program: Regional Arts Development Fund
• Funding year: 2026/2027
• Maximum grant: $13,000
• Maximum RADF contribution: 65% of eligible project costs
• Required applicant contribution: At least 35%
• Funding categories: Five
• Main focus: Arts, culture, heritage and creative development
• Geographic focus: Mackay Regional Council area
• Eligible applicants: Artists, producers, creative practitioners, organisations, businesses, groups, collectives and eligible not-for-profits
• Key priorities: Creative development, cultural tourism, inclusion, lifelong learning, placemaking, environmental arts and youth creativity

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Mackay Regional Arts Development Fund?

The Regional Arts Development Fund is a Queensland Government and local council partnership that provides funding for arts, cultural and heritage activities that benefit communities and strengthen regional creative capacity.

How much can I apply for through Mackay RADF?

Applicants can request up to $13,000. RADF funding can cover up to 65% of eligible project costs, meaning applicants must provide at least 35% of the total project cost.

Who can apply for Mackay RADF?

Eligible applicants can include individual artists, producers, creative practitioners, organisations, businesses, groups, collectives and registered not-for-profit organisations that meet the program’s geographic and citizenship or residency requirements.

Can young people apply for RADF funding?

Yes. The Young People category supports individuals aged 12 to 25 through creative career pathways and peer-led creative projects.

Can RADF fund environmental arts projects?

Yes. The Green Arts category supports environmentally focused creative projects, including projects that highlight local biodiversity and environmental issues.

Can RADF fund projects that have already started?

Generally, no. Activities that commence before the required funding approval are ineligible. Applicants should wait for approval before beginning the funded project.

What are Mackay’s RADF priorities for 2026/2027?

The priorities include locally driven creative content and cultural tourism, lifelong learning and career development, accessible and inclusive arts, cultural tourism, and placemaking initiatives that activate and transform local spaces.

Conclusion

The Mackay Regional Arts Development Fund 2026/2027 offers grants of up to $13,000 for eligible arts, culture, heritage and creative projects that provide public value in the Mackay Regional Council area. With funding covering up to 65% of eligible costs, the program can help artists, creative practitioners, organisations, community groups and young people develop new work, build skills, strengthen cultural participation and contribute to Mackay’s creative economy.

The strongest applications will demonstrate creative quality, local relevance, community reach, measurable impact and financial viability, while clearly aligning with the 2026/2027 RADF priorities.