Funding

While the Department of Environment, Water, Heritage and the Arts (DEWHA) are 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. TRA will be administrating these programs in Tasmania for the period 2009–2012 on behalf of DEWHA.

A key focus of the regional Arts Fund (RAF) program 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.

A popular component of RAF is the quick response funding round - providing small grants to artists to attend events and workshops. These quick response grants are supported by larger more developmentally focussed grants that fund projects of local and regional significance.

The RAF quick response grants provide funds up to $2,500 for an individual artists or artsworker to access professional development opportunities or for smaller developmental projects. Applicants must meet the eligibility criteria for the program which are included on the application form (available from the TRA website).

Notification of sucess or otherwise is provided by TRA within ten working days. Advice on the grant application process is also available from the TRA Regional Arts Development Officers located in Latrobe, Launceston and Hobart.

RAF decisions on grants other than the quick response grants are made by a peer assessment panel of Tasmanian based artists and arts workers appointed by the Commonwealth Arts Minister. In 2009 TRA will be convening a new RAF advisory panel from within the arts community.

Find RAF application forms here.