Blow for artwork plan

Funding for the Regional Climatic Art Piece was rejected.

Contributed

IT was an anti-climax for the councillors at yesterday's general meeting when they heard the Regional Climatic Art Piece (RCAP) was rejected by state funding body Arts+Place.

Community Services director Tony Minuti delivered the news but said all was not lost for the Stanthorpe project.

"(Arts+Place) still believe the project has a lot of merit and would like to see it continue... with some amendments," he said.

Mr Minuti said the application was considered "high risk" because of technology involved in the LED-embedded "light poles" and because the artist was "emerging".

But that didn't sit well with the councillors.

Cr Jo McNally said she read the report with frustration, Mayor Ron Bellingham said he was "dumbfounded".

"I find that quite weird, an artist is an artist," he said.

A report by Economic Development officer Justin Heaven outlined four options for moving forward; submitting the application again, applying for "seed" funding, submitting an application with a different direction or not taking it further.

Mr Minuti said an investment of $1200 plus GST could pay consultants to re-work the application before reapplying for any seed funding.

If seed funding was obtained, council could build another application, which may include re-working the proposal with the current artist or finding another artist.

The amount applied for was never revealed but a council spokeswoman previously told the Daily News it was for stream one funding which could be between $400,000 and $2 million.

The councillors moved to pursue option two.