Regional Arts Services Network

RASN - Creative Business Hub

The Regional Arts Services Network’s new Creative Business Hub connects arts industry experts with Queensland artists and arts workers, creating meaningful professional development opportunities that support emerging and established artists to progress sustainable careers in the arts.

Creative Business Champions provide expertise and guidance through free, personalised one-on-one online consultations in a range of areas:

producing and leading First Nations arts and cultural initiatives
business growth
arts leadership
arts and cultural tourism experiences
grant writing and fundraising
driving social outcomes through the arts
thriving in the live music industry
building cultural competency

Connecting with a Creative Business Champion can help to transform career pathway, gain practical advice and industry insights and grow projects or arts businesses.

The Regional Arts Services Network, on behalf of Arts Queensland and The Department of Employment, Small Business and Training, engaged the Creative Business Champions following an Expressions of Interest process. Expressions of interest closed on 3 January 2021.

For more information or to link to a to a Creative Business Champion visit RASN

Queensland regions are extremely diverse, and those regional differences, shaped by First Nations history, culture, and distinctive and varied natural geography, have led to unique experiences and cultural products across the state, which all contribute to Queensland’s rich culture. A vibrant arts and cultural offer in regional Queensland contributes to liveability, local identity and what makes communities different and exciting.

Background and Goals

The Regional Arts Services Network (RASN) is about empowering regions to realise arts and cultural priorities and drive change through arts-led initiatives. Our eight RASN providers lead and support projects that enhance cultural vitality, create thriving communities and advance regional development and social priorities.

RASN works in partnership with local councils, artists and arts organisations, and communities to foster, facilitate and promote the sustainable growth of regional arts across the state.

Backed by an initial $6.5 million (2017-18 to 2020-21) investment by the Queensland Government, support for RASN will continue with $6 million over four years from 2021-22 to 2024-25.

Since its establishment in 2018, RASN has:

Provided employment opportunities for artists.
Connected more than 300 Queensland-based artists to arts industry experts through Creative Business Champions with a focus on supporting employment pathways and career sustainability for regional artists, arts workers and organisations
Invested in signature cultural tourism projects such as Trailblazing the West in Western Queensland and the Savannah Way Art Trail in Far North Queensland

Attract

Attracted new resources and investment to regional arts in Queensland.

Employment

Provided greater employment opportunities and increased the skills of artists and arts workers in regional Queensland.

Drive

Driven strategic arts-led initiatives to attract visitors, strengthen individual and community wellbeing, foster social cohesion and build community resilience.

Collaboration

Collectively improving the delivery of arts services to regional Queensland.

Engagement

Created opportunities for regional Queenslanders to engage in the arts and culture, reflecting the diversity of our communities.

Empowerment

Empowered First Nations cultural workers and communities to lead significant new projects.

_{Employment image: Colouring NQ digital book. Image courtesy Umbrella Studios Contemporary Arts.

Drive image: Work by artists Anna Nicholsen (Left) and Noel Brady (Right). Image courtesy Central Queensland University.

Collaboration image: My Cat Likes to Hide in Boxes. Performer Justin Tamblyn at the Oakey Library. Salt Studios.

Empowerment image: Red Ridge The Label. Lorraine Kath Outback Photography}

What RASN can do for you

Whether you are an emerging or established artist, a government or non-government organisation, your local RASN provider can partner and grow with you to deliver local art and culture-led initiatives in your region.

Connect with your Regional Arts Officer to find out how they are creating arts engagement for communities, what networking and development opportunities are available, or how you can partner to contribute to regional social, economic and cultural development.

Service Providers

Following a robust two-stage EOI process, regional arts service providers across the state and the State Coordination Office provider have now been secured to form the Regional Arts Services Network.

RASN was developed in response to consultation with more than 330 stakeholders and addresses the consultation’s key findings for regions to prioritise local needs and build networking and collaboration across regions and between artists and companies.

The model focusses on highlighting the value of the arts in delivering social and economic benefit that ultimately works to deliver regional development outcomes.

Eight service providers form the network:

Access Community Service
Ipswich and Logan

Arts Nexus
Far North Queensland

Arts Nexus in Partnership with Cook Shire Council
Cape York and the Torres Strait Islands

Central Queensland University
Central Queensland

Creative Arts Alliance
South-East Queensland North

Empire Theatre Projects
South-West Queensland

Red Ridge
Western Queensland

Queensland Music Festival
North Queensland

Connect with RASN

Queensland Music Festival, in their role as RASN coordinator for the service provider network, keep the network informed of RASN news and activities.

Email - Enquiries related to the Regional Arts Services Network should be directed to regionalartsservices@arts.qld.gov.au.
Website - rasn.org.au
Social Media - RASN Facebook, RASN Twitter, RASN Instagram
eNews - Subscribe to the RASN newsletter
Feedback - Share your feedback on the RASN services that you have received, by taking part in this survey