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New funding opportunity available

Round 2 for Major Projects funding is now open and closes 30 September 2025.

The Regional Arts Development Fund (RADF) is a collaborative initiative between the Queensland Government, through Arts Queensland, and Ipswich City Council. RADF is dedicated to promoting the vital role of arts, culture, and heritage in fostering diverse, inclusive communities and strengthening regions.

Ipswich City Council’s priorities for RADF are as follows:

  • Centre Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Creatives and Communities
    Support and elevate First Nations creativity, ensuring meaningful engagement with First Nations communities.
  • Build Creative Careers
    Create sustainable pathways for artists, creatives, and cultural workers by offering career development opportunities and enhancing skills.
  • Facilitate Participation and Engagement for All
    Encourage active participation in the arts by growing audiences and providing inclusive, diverse, and impactful community experiences.
  • Develop the Sector
    Strengthen the creative sector through collaboration, partnerships, and initiatives that foster arts and cultural growth.
  • Cultivate Identity and Promote Heritage
    Celebrate and showcase the region’s creative sector and cultural heritage, attracting talent, investment, and visitors while nurturing civic pride and knowledge.

Apply for funding

  • Professional Development

    • Funding up to $2,000
    • Applications are open all year or until funds are expended

    Apply now 

  • Time and Space

    • Funding up to $2,000
    • Applications are open all year or until funds are expended

    Apply now 

  • Major Project

    • Funding up to $15,000
    • Round 1 opened 1 March 2025 and closed 31 March 2025
    • Round 2 opened 1 September 2025 and closes 30 September 2025

    Apply now 

Types of Funding

More information on each of the types of funding available through the 2025 Regional Arts Development Fund.

Funding is available to support significant opportunities and structured professional development activities. Significant opportunities may include participation in residencies, prizes or competitions, and industry events, while structured professional development could involve courses or mentoring. A First Nations Elder or Knowledge Keeper may be considered a mentor.

Applicants must demonstrate that the project is competitive, selective, and/or time-sensitive.

Projects must align with one of the following categories:

  • Professional Development/Careers: Opportunities that strategically advance or enhance the artistic or professional careers of individuals, groups, or arts organisations. This includes participating in residencies, prizes, industry events, or professionalising artistic activities through consulting and professional services such as editing, writing, photography, PR/marketing/graphic design, visitor insights, project evaluation, and more.
  • Professional Development/Skills:
    Structured activities that strategically build or enhance artistic or professional skills for individuals, groups, or arts organisations. This includes mentoring, courses, workshops, and peer-to-peer learning. A First Nations Elder or Knowledge Keeper can serve as a mentor.

Funding of up to $2,000 is available, with applications open from February to November each year.

Please review the guidelines for further details on eligibility and application requirements.

Click here to apply for RADF Professional Development Grant 2024/2025.

Funding support the delivery of related exhibitions, residencies and/or workshops. Funding is available exclusively to artists and creatives who received an opportunity with one of the following:

  • The Ipswich Community Gallery
  • Hatchery 4305
  • Ipswich Art Workshop

Funding up to $2,000 with applications open between February and November each year.

Please review the guidelines for all details in relation to this fund.

Click here to apply for RADF Time and Space 2024/2025.

Funding is available for professional development, research and making of new work, performances, exhibitions and other public displays of creative work; and community/audience development.

Projects must align to one of these categories:

  • Professional Development/Careers: opportunities that strategically develop or enhance artistic or professional careers for individuals, groups or arts organisations, including participating in residencies, prizes or industry events and/or professionalising existing artistic activities through consulting and professional services such as editing, writing, photography, PR/marketing/graphic design, visitor insights, project evaluation, etc. Applicants must demonstrate that the project is selective, competitive and/or relevant and timely.
  • Professional Development/Skills: structured activities that strategically develop or enhance artistic or professional skills for individuals, groups or arts organisations, including mentoring, courses, workshops and peer-to-peer learning. A First Nations Elder or Knowledge Keeper can be considered a mentor. Applicants must demonstrate that the project is selective, competitive and/or relevant and timely.
  • New Work: research and making activities toward the creation of new work intended for public dissemination or display.
  • Performances and Exhibitions: live performances, art exhibitions, gigs, book launches, poetry readings and/or other public displays of creative work.
  • Community and/or Audience Development: community and audience participation activities including workshops, tours, artist trails; and/or community and audience development activities including audience research, relationship-building, communication planning, access and inclusion initiatives, etc.

Funding up to $15,000 with applications open over two rounds 1 March, 2025 and 1 September, 2025.

Please review the guidelines for all details in relation to this fund.


RADF x BIGSOUND: Ipswich Delegate Opportunity

Funding for five Ipswich delegates to attend BIGSOUND 2025 was made available through the Professional Development initiative.

This funding opportunity covered the cost of a BIGSOUND Delegate Pass, which provided full access to the BIGSOUND 2025 Schedule (18+ only).

Applicants were assessed against the criteria outlined in the application form.

Submissions closed midnight 18 August 2025.

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Courtney

Coordinator, Creative Industries Development

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Acknowledgement of Country

Ipswich City Council respectfully acknowledges the Traditional Owners, the Jagera, Yuggera and Ugarapul People of the Yugara/Yagara Language Group, as custodians of the land and waters we share. We pay our respects to their Elders past and present, as the keepers of the traditions, customs, cultures and stories of proud peoples.



Phone: (07) 3810 6666

Email: communityengagement@ipswich.qld.gov.au

Postal: PO Box 191, Ipswich QLD 4305, Australia

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