Emerging artists Owls of Neptune, Layla Havana and Andrew Veivers have joined 14 local acts to share in almost $90,000 of government funding.

The Sunshine Coast Council’s recipients will use the Regional Arts Development Fund (RADF) grants for workshops, recording music albums, mentoring, creating, and presenting live shows. 

Coolum Beach musician Andrew Veivers says he is ecstatic to secure the grant. And will use it to write re-imagined Spanish guitar compositions, and tour.

“Arts funding is an incredibly competitive environment and I feel an affirming blend of gratitude, accomplishment, and creative anticipation,” Andrew says.

“I have been a full-time musician, composer and workshop facilitator based on the Sunshine Coast for 20 years.

“I have been very fortunate to receive RADF funding to assist in a couple of composition/production projects over the past decade.”

Helping artists like Andrew Veivers share their dreams

“A successful RADF grant allows an artist the ability to create time and space in an increasingly busy world to elevate their creative pursuits,” he say.

“This invariably fosters innovation. It represents an opportunity to realise and share artistic visions, bridging passion with meaningful contributions.’’

Andrew says he started playing the guitar when he was 11.

“Nothing fancy. Just basic lessons with an instrumental teacher near my home. I discovered Classical and Flamenco guitar in my late teens and have never looked back.

“I grew up in Sunnybank, Brisbane. Not exactly a hot bed of the flamenco guitar!?!

“My project of working with composer/arranger Michael Patterson and the brilliant Black Square Quartet to realise 10 new arrangements of my original compositions for guitar with string quartet is going to be an epic journey of collaboration.

“We’ll hit the ground running in the first couple of weeks in January.   

“The compositions developed during my project Guitarra Y Cuarteto will enjoy seeing the light of day for the first time during a series of performances on the Sunshine Coast in May, 2024. 

“Local events company Red Chair will be presenting the performances as a part of their COMPASS PROJECT concert series.

“We are incredibly excited to be a part of that programme and hope you all come along to one of our shows, enjoy the fruits of our labour and say ‘hi’.”

Watch Andrew Veivers play “Bulerias”

And find out more about the Guitarra Y Cuarteto concert here.

Arts Portfolio Councillor Rick Baberowski says Council is proud to support artists wanting to hone their skills for the benefit of the community.

“The arts make such a compounding contribution to creative life here on our Sunshine Coast. And it’s vital we support both our emerging and established creatives to flourish,” Cr Baberowski says.

“These grants create momentum and encourage opportunities to help build a supportive environment where the arts can successfully grow and prosper. 

“They are delivered in a truly effective partnership with the Queensland Government and align with the Sunshine Coast Creative Arts Plan 2023–2038, which provides a vision for the Sunshine Coast to be alive with arts, culture and creativity.”

Residents encouraged to apply for funding

Cr Baberowksi says the 14 recipients were chosen from a strong field of 35 applicants. And encouraged those interested to keep an eye out for future funding opportunities. 

Council supports creative arts in the region through a range of grants and funding programs. Learn more by visiting Council’s website or contacting the Creative Arts team.

Latest RADF grant recipients

• Owls of Neptune – Recording full album.
• Range of Life Pty Ltd – Drag Run-a-way Workshops and Pageant.
• F.F Martin & L.M Martin – Record debut EP.
• Jessie Louise Hughes – Generative Artificial Intelligence Research and Development.
• Ravnita Joyce – Home is where HER heARTh is (Mentorship).
• Creative Arts Practice – Dramaturgy on draft of Blank Canvas playscript.
• Sunshine Coast Chamber Music Festival Ltd – Meditate Anytime / Anywhere.
• Andrew Veivers – Guitarra Y Cuarteto.
• Kerbside Collective – Silence of the Jams 2, Judgement Day.
• Zartisha Davis – Midden.
• Jordan Neal – 40 Under 40 Opening Event Development (Mentorship).
• Layla Havana – A Kind of Hush (Mentorship).
• Ruby Donohoe and Joseph Burges – YAK.
• Mieke van den Berg – One Thread Many Loops.

Feature photo by Trevor Worden