Thousands of woven stars will sparkle in the Redlands thanks to a $12,000 grant from the Regional Arts Development Fund (RADF) towards a series of community weaving workshops by Birkdale weaver and artist Maryann Talia Pau.

Redland Mayor Karen Williams said the woven stars were symbols of solidarity, light and courage to end all forms of violence and were part of a project called 1 Million Stars to End Violence, with the goal of one million stars to feature in an installation at the 2018 Gold Coast Commonwealth Games.

“Residents are encouraged to join the workshops and learn to weave cross-fold stars from ribbon, with their handiwork to form part of installations at the Redland Art Gallery this year, the Redlands Performing Arts Centre next year and the major installation on the Gold Coast in 2018,” she said.

“The weaving workshops are one of nine projects in the Redlands to share in almost $80,000 of RADF grants, with a sound sculpture at Redlands Museum, a debut demo CD by teen soprano Leah Lever and training in digital storytelling techniques to capture oral history also supported.”

Premier and Arts Minister Annastacia Palaszczuk said the Queensland Government is providing $2.08 million in 2015-16 for the Regional Arts Development Fund (RADF), a state and local government partnership with 59 local councils across Queensland.

“The $2.08 million will leverage approximately $1.8 million from local councils, and means an anticipated total of $3.9 million will be available for arts projects across the state,” the Premier said.

“Each year around 500,000 people are involved in RADF projects as practitioners, participants or audience members, helping to ensure that Queenslanders can engage with arts in their local community.

“RADF supports arts, cultural and heritage projects throughout Queensland, ranging from local festivals and celebrations, to training, education and employment outcomes for Queensland artists.

“The revamped RADF program developed in consultation with local councils has opened the way for an expansion of the arts at a local level with public art commissions, access to touring productions and more training opportunities on offer.”

Cr Williams said in addition to funding from RADF, Council provided more than $750,000 in grants and sponsorship every year to help local organisations, community groups and individuals make a difference in the Redlands through events, projects and initiatives that strengthened the community.

“With the Redlands fast becoming an events hotspot, we have an exciting array of festivals and events on the horizon, including sports, arts, music and cultural events that will enrich our city and attract visitors from far and wide,” she said.

“This year, Council will sponsor the 25th anniversary of the Moreton Bay and Offshore Family Fishing Challenge, custom culture events like Retro Eat Boutique Market and GreazeFest, the Stradbroke Chamber Music Festival and the Raby Bay Triathlon, to name a few.

“Along with multicultural fairs, boutique markets and iconic sporting events, we are sponsoring a two-day men’s bowls tournament on North Stradbroke Island, the Bayside Blues Festival and Relish Redlands, a fine food and wine festival to be held at Raby Bay Marina.

She said the latest round of grants included funding for conservation projects in Moreton Bay to engage local volunteers to map coral and reef habitat, and research into dolphin populations.

“Council has also supported an outreach program on the Southern Moreton Bay Islands, emergency service training camps for young people, and first aid training for members of the Redlands Aero Model Soarers, Cleveland-Thornlands Cricket Club and the Redlands Hockey Association.

“There was also funding for Salt Water Murris, the Old School House Gallery, and Multicap Limited as well as Calisto Park Equestrian Centre, who provide animal therapy and horse riding for those with a disability.”

See the full list of recipients here. Applications for the next round of community grants will open on 18 July and 15 August for sponsorship. The Councillors’ Small Grants program will also reopen next month.