Nicole Harper presents a case study on how VAST ARTS secure funding for the Kunmurri Art Trail booklet from Arts Queensland.

1. a Vast Arts project

2. • Vast Arts is a non profit organisation
• run by artists, for artists, in western Queensland
• Began over 40 years ago and has changed name and focus
since from delivery of workshops to delivery of opportunities
• Differentiate from other cultural/arts groups in that our focus is
on artists careers and is across a region of over 600,000 km
sq
• A Management Committee of 6 directs the organisation and
employs a part time Project Officer
• Primary income of the organisation is funding and sponsorship
• Other projects include the Channel Country Photography
Competition, Connections – keeping artists in touch, and
Vacant Spaces – revitalising our communities through short
term art projects in empty buildings and shopfronts.

3. The ONLY guide to art and culture
in western Queensland
Our goal:
To publicise and market the
cultural and artistic viewing
opportunities in central and south
west Queensland to the regional
community, potential visitors and
tourists highlighting the regions
cultural tourism attractions.
The Name
Vast Arts had successful
discussions with the regions
indigenous groups to find a
common word among the some
14 dialects used in the area. We
all settled with ‘Kunmurri’ which
means ‘rainbow serpent’. The
group felt this reflected not only
the area and its dreamtime
beginnings, but emphasizes the
strong cultural links and
community partnership in the
area.

4. • First published in 2011 and funded through Queensland
Government’s Rural Communities Fund ‘Blueprint for the Bush’
• Based on the Scenic Rim booklet with designated open studio
periods
• 26 participants and 10,000 booklets distributed
• 2012 edition was funded through Jupiters Gambling Community
Benefit Fund
• Participants increased to 38 and 20,000 booklets distributed
• Financing the booklet a major cost and participant fees required to
remain low to encourage inclusion in the project

5. The main points from
the application of
support for the 2013
Kunmurri Art Trail

6. • Reduce the challenges faced by artists living and working in remote
and regional western Queensland
• It aims to BRING THE PEOPLE TO THE ART
• Reverse flow of artists from this region relocating to metro areas
• To create a vibrant, viable arts sector in this region that forms an
important part of the community
• Easy to read format, with each town or region mapped and
comprehensive details for each attraction including opening
hours, contact details, costs, etc.
• The booklet is distributed to tourist information centres, tourism
outlets, galleries, art studios, etc both within the central and south
west area and outside it
• 2013 was the third year of publication
• Plans in place to increase revenue such as income from advertising

7. The Kunmurri Art Trail fulfils the goals of the Queensland Arts and Culture Sector
Plan by:
• Providing a great art and culture experience which helps create a thriving
independent art sector.
• Showcasing Queensland’s best in local, national and international markets
through its distribution.
• People discovering, collecting and celebrating their cultural heritage through
hands on experience.
• Queenslanders creating and shaping their own arts and cultural experiences
through touring our unique region with the assistance of the Kunmurri Art
Trail.
• Place-based approaches to regional arts development and arts-led
approaches to addressing community issues such as isolation and lack of
opportunities to display and sell work.
• Successful arts and cultural organisations and creative businesses, new jobs
and markets, entrepreneurship and innovation through increased visibility and
promotion of unique art and culture experiences in the region.
• Viable industry networks founded on sharing skills and knowledge through the
Vast Arts membership and communication network.
• Viable career paths which provide financial rewards and recognition.
The Kunmurri Art Trail shares the focus of the Sector Plan to grow and promote
quality artwork, and strengthen independent artists, arts and cultural workers in
our region.

8. • Large distribution
• Constantly seek new ways to promote including the Outback
Education Handbook, Australian Tourism Data Warehouse, Outback
Queensland Tourism Association and Tourism Queensland.
• Plan to be self funded in the future, attract advertising revenue from
related businesses (coffee shops, boutique accommodation, etc).
• will be the third year of publication after significant growth of
participants and distribution
• Utilise experience from previous editions to improve effectiveness of
distribution and promotion.
• The time frame is realistic and ensures the booklet is available
during peak tourist season
• Project Officer has previous experience with project.
• Vast Arts has been nominated for the Outback Queensland Tourism
Awards for two years running for delivering the Kunmurri Art Trail
concept.

10. • 43 participants and 10,000 booklets distributed
• 19 individual artists
• 5 cultural/arts community groups
• 10 galleries
• 9 cultural attractions
• Increase of geographical area covered
• Increase in name recognition

11. Hi Nicole,
The Outback Regional Gallery would love to be a participant in the new Kunmurri Art Trail; it is a
great little booklet and a huge hit with our tourists and locals alike. I would love to hear from you
regarding this as I would very much like the Outback Regional gallery to be featured in the booklet
again.
Warm regards,
Jessica
Jessica A Marshall
Curator
Outback Regional Gallery and Museum
Waltzing Matilda Centre
50 Elderslie Street
PO Box 415
WINTON QLD 4735
Phone: 07 4657 1466
Mobile: 0407789773
Email: Curator@matildacentre.com.au
Website: www.matildacentre.com.au

12. On 31/07/2012, at 8:47 AM,
Hi Denise,
Just wondering – where did you pick up the Kunumurri Art Trail booklet? I am on
the board of Vast Arts so would be good to provide feedback to board members,
Cheers Alison
From: Denise McKnight [mailto:mcknight2008@optusnet.com.au]
Sent: Tuesday, 31 July 2012 10:29 AM
To: Alison Shaw
Subject: Re: Grassland Art Gallery
Hi Alison
We first came across it at the artesian spa In Mitchell. They had an info section
and as I made Peter stop there do that I could have Numerous soaks he had
plenty of time to browse!!!
We have specifically targeted our trip around The galleries listed
Sent from my iPhone

13. • The project is strong and unique
• Two previous successes
• Proven viability
• Outline of future self funding plans
• Clear budget
• Relevant supporting documents

14. • The booklet is now a biennial publication – saving costs
and utilising feedback from participants and distributors
• The 2014/2015 edition is being printed this week!
• Is funded through sponsorship from OBE Organic and
support from RADF (Quilpie Shire Council, Barcaldine
Regional Council, Blackall Tambo Regional Council)
World's oldest and most
trustworthy for organic beef
The Regional Arts Development Fund is a Queensland
Government through Arts Queensland, Quilpie Shire
Council, Barcaldine Regional Council and Blackall Tambo
Regional Council partnership to support local arts and culture.