The Australian Government’s Regional Arts Fund (RAF) supports sustainable cultural development in regional and remote Australia.

RAF is designed to benefit regional and remote arts practitioners, arts workers, audiences and communities.

The objectives of the fund are to support and promote participation in, and access to, Australia’s arts and culture in regional and remote Australia. 

This is done by encouraging and supporting sustainable economic, social and cultural development in regional communities. By developing partnerships and networks which leverage financial and/or in-kind support for specific projects and encourage ongoing collaboration. By developing audiences and broadening community engagement with the arts. And increasing employment and professional development opportunities for, and raise the profile of, regional and remote artists.

The Regional Arts Fund will only fund arts or cultural heritage projects that are directed at achieving the objectives of the program. 

The arts or cultural heritage focus of the project can include:

RAF applications will only be accepted through the Regional Arts Australia secure online grants system, SmartyGrants. There’s a new category Small Regional Festival Support.

Before submitting, you can discuss your project with Kevin Williams, executive director of Arts Mid North Coast on 0427 256 719. 

Application close 3pm on Monday August 8 for projects commencing after January 1, 2017 and completed by December 31, 2017. 

For more information http://artsmidnorthcoast.com/showcase/regional-arts-fund-raf-community-grants/