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The role of a RADO

 

RADO position descriptions vary from region to region and are developed to reflect the arts and cultural infrastructure, geographic location, demographics and available resources of each region. In some regions, where there is little arts and cultural infrastructure, or few groups engaged in arts and cultural development, the RADO undertakes the planning and development of projects in partnership with existing groups to meet the needs of local communities. Sometimes, this involves facilitating the establishment of local groups.

In other regions, where there is well established and mature arts and cultural infrastructure, the RADO works at a regional strategic and planning level to assist groups to work together and access additional resources, thereby strengthening the network of arts and cultural activities that already exist. 

Additionally, RADOs access regional, state and federal resources for local arts and cultural groups that may not have the knowledge or skills to do this. Increasingly these resources are sought through government agencies that do not have an arts and cultural brief, and RADOs have become adept at engaging them in worthwhile projects that also meet their departmental guidelines and goals.

In order to maintain the regional role of RADOs, however, it is important to remember that they are not local arts workers, but function on a regional level, facilitating communication, programming and planning, and working with local arts and cultural groups, local government and cultural workers engaged by other agencies (regional library officers, regional gallery personnel and regional tourism officers).

The role of the RADO is evolving rapidly, becoming more sophisticated and requiring greater professional skills in policy development, planning, management, financial management, resource management, project and program development. As a result, RADO position descriptions require frequent reassessment to ensure that they are accurate depictions of the roles that RADOs play. To reflect these changes, some RADOs use GM or EO in their titles.  

RADOs now form a statewide network of professional arts and cultural workers who share skills, knowledge and work practices from all corners of the state.