The Regional Cultural Partnership (RCP) Program was established by RAV in 2005 to provide a level of support to arts development in regional Victoria. The program is networked across regional boundaries and catchments while being integrated with local needs and aspirations through the program partners.
Regional Arts Development Officers (RADOs), employed in partnership with local government and agencies, assist regional communities to develop and implement programs of activity, or projects that will have long-term strategic impact in their community. RADOs help to increase access to arts and cultural infrastructure including funding and information resources, develop networks across regions and strengthen community impact from arts and cultural activity through supporting partnership development.
Each RADO position is unique and strongly informed by the priorities of each partnership. Some key strategies that have emerged in the program are:
- Development of volunteer presenter networks to increase support for touring performances to small communities
- Undertaking cultural planning processes linking the arts to other areas of local government
- Skills training and strategic planning for community based organisations
- Networks and skills development for professional arts practitioners and small arts business
- Advocating and supporting the engagement of Indigenous artists and communities in local arts development.
There are currently 5 RADOs employed as part of the RCP Program, one of whom works as the Bushfire Arts Recovery Project Officer in the Murrindindi Shire Area. To view a map of Victoria highlighligting current partners, click the link below. To contact your nearest RADO, please use the details to the right.
Download the Regional Cultural Partnership Program Map 2009 (PDF 66k)
"The Regional Arts Development Officers have been able to strengthen regional networks of arts practitioners and link these to statewide networks and resources...Their work has demonstrated that investments in regional arts should be seen as a long-term investment in the sustainability of local communities."
Following the Black Saturday Bushfires, Ballarat RADO, Verity Higgins, made the documentary At The Coalface in conjunction with Marilyn Gourley, the Arts Recovery Project Officer (ARPO). The film follows the work of Marilyn as she assists artists and communities develop arts projects during the first 12 months of the recovery. Watch a preview of the film here.
- The Case For A Regional Arts Development officer Network in Victoria, Martin Mulligan and Pia Smith, The Globalism Centre, RMIT University, Melbourne. Download Full Report (PDF 480k)
Regional Arts Development Officers - Case Studies
The following case studies provide examples of the work that Regional Arts Development Officers do in their communities. Click on the links below to read more.
Download Case Studies:
Hole Big Yarn RADO Case Study (PDF 1.98MB)
Share Africa RADO Case Study (PDF 1.14MB)
Small Cultural Facilities Review RADO Case Study (PDF 736k)
Wellington RADO Case Study (PDF 419k).
The High Country RADO Case Study (PDF 933k).
South West RADO Case Study (PDF 862k).
Read RADO Case Studies - impacts in communities 2007-2008 (PDF 13M).
Read about the RADO driven Fresh & Salty Project.
Aerial Shot of the Platypus on the dry bed of Lake Wendouree, Ballarat as part of the Fresh & Salty project. Artists: Michael Shiell and Billy Blackall. Image by Bindi Cole.
Click 'Play' below to see video image of the Platypi.
