The Sunshine Coast Creative Alliance monthly e-newsletter will now be the one-stop-shop for all your arts news.  Check out their website here and subscribe here.

Carols at Cotton Tree - Come and celebrate the spirit of Christmas at council’s free family friendly Christmas Carols at Cotton Tree Park. The event will be jampacked with a family friendly line up of local performers that is sure to be enjoyed by all. 5.30-8.30pm, 7 Dec, Cotton Tree Park, Cotton Tree, free.
Carols on Kings - Bring a blanket or chair and your picnic basket and celebrate the spirit of Christmas at council’s free family friendly Christmas Carols at Kings Beach Amphitheatre. There will be plenty of entertainment and a spectacular fireworks show. 5.30-8.30pm, 22 Dec, Kings Beach Amphitheatre, Caloundra, free.
NYE Mooloolaba - This free, family-friendly event is packed full of live entertainment and fun activities including live music, DJs, carnival rides, amusements, street performers, buskers, roving performers, face painters and two spectacular fireworks displays. 4pm-midnight, 31 Dec, Mooloolaba Esplanade, Mooloolaba, free.
More info.

Noosa Arts and Crafts is holding their legendary annual Christmas Sale at Wallace House. An exquisite display of unique creations, handcrafted by experienced artists and artisans, all modestly priced. Starts Saturday 23rd November, open 9.30am-3.30pm daily until Sat 30 Nov. For more information click here. Wallace House, 7 Wallace Drive, Noosaville.

Expressions of Interest are now being accepted for the 2014 Anywhere Theatre Festival, running in South East Queensland from 7–18 May 2014. Performances can be anywhere but a theatre and any style – circus, cabaret, drama, comedy, music, performance art. If there’s a name for it and it involves performance anywhere but a theatre, it can be part of 2014 Anywhere Theatre Festival. This year we are also looking for performances anywhere within South East Queensland! Performers and producers can express interest here by 24 December.

Need help to continue study in your Performing Arts Course? If you are under 25, have survived the first year of a Performing Arts Degree, and live in the Sunshine Coast Council area, you are eligible for this $2,500 scholarship. To qualify you must be enrolled in a full-time accredited tertiary level Performing Arts course and have been accepted into 2nd 3rd or 4th year studies. More info.

If you have a "public, awesome and achievable" idea that will help make people happy, enter The Happy Project national competition for the chance to win $12,000 to implement it in your community. More info. Applications close 15 December.

Get rid of the 'digital' – How to integrate technology into your arts and cultural strategy. Read about it here.

Peter Rowe, the Sunshine Coast's most prolific and inspiring artist with Down Syndrome, is having his first solo art exhibition at the Cooroy Butter Factory Arts Centre from 21 November to 11 January 2014. Peter is unable to speak but he communicates most eloquently through his art, and Facilitated Communication, and is a great ambassador for what the disabled can do when given the right help and opportunities. This exhibition is a wonderful example of that and is a celebration of Peter's personal and professional development through his art since he first started painting at the Butter Factory ten years ago. The official opening is on 3 December at 6pm, and if you would like to attend please RSVP here. Check out Peter's work here.

The National Touring Exhibitions Support (NETS) Australia network has launched a new website - the first milestone in a four-year strategic initiative funded by Australia Council for the Arts to explore the impact of technology on artistic practice and the possibilities available for touring exhibitions in the digital age. More info.

Fiona Kennedy Altoft: In search of reverie - Fiona Kennedy Altoft’s playful and experimental human bird figures are a fresh and lively portrait of this contemporary artist’s life. 11 Dec-19 Jan.
Close Encounter of the Bird Kind! - Birds of the Noosa area are the inspiration for Vic Jakes' highly detailed photographic images, 11 Dec-19 Jan.
Taste of Art - Friends Noosa Regional Gallery presents its third group show exclusively organised for its creative members, 22 Jan-16 Feb.
Expression of Love II: an Exhibition by Kim Schoenberger - unveils a unique unravelling of the transitional paradigm that is love, presenting a rationale of generational sisterhood forged through shared experience, set against a backdrop of evolutionary momentum, 22 Jan-16 Feb.
Image: Kim Schoenberger, Latched With Love, detail,6x23x23cmSquares,Recycled Tea Bags.
More info.

Colour is My Voice by Peter Rowe – Peter  has Down syndrome and cannot speak. Peter can communicate through his art and a system called Facilitated Communication. For Peter, art not only has the power to heal and transform; art and colour are his voice. Until 11 Jan. Official opening 6pm, Tues 3 Dec, free, bookings required.
The Christmas in Cooroy Photographic Competition Exhibition - 6 Dec to 4 Jan. Official Opening 6pm, Fri 6 Dec, free, bookings required.
The McCrea Collection: Then and Now - 16 Jan-22 Feb. Official Opening 6pm, Fri 17 Jan, free, bookings required.
Exhibition Guided Tour and Morning Tea - 10am, Fri 31 Jan, free, bookings required.
Art Appreciation with Lyn McCrea - 6pm, Fri 7 Feb and 10am, Sat 8 Feb, free, bookings required.
More info.

Sons of Beaches 72: Surfing the Sunshine Coast - 5 Dec-2 Feb
Official Opening: 6pm, Fri 6 Dec, free, bookings essential.
Image: Mark Richards, Michael Peterson, Peter PT Townend, Ian Cairns. Artwork: Leigh Fabian. Photos: Thor Severson
More info.

The J
Parkour Workshop – 1pm-3pm, 14 Jan, free.
Wokajoowok – Live Music Concert – 1pm, 21 Jan.
Jimeoin: Yes, Yes, Whatever?! – 8pm, 22 Jan.
Greenzone Disco – 6pm-8pm, 7 Feb.
Flickerfest – 7.30pm, 15 Feb.
Lake Kawana Community Centre
Nickleby The Magician – 1pm, 14 Jan.
Parkour Workshop and Demo – 1pm, 15 Jan, free.
Jurassic Joe – 10am and 1pm, 23 Jan.
Nambour Civic Centre
Wizard of Oz School Holiday Movie Screening – 10.30am, 6 and 8 Jan.
Wulamanayuwi and the Seven Pamanui – 6pm, 11 Mar and 10.30am, 12 Mar.
My Latin Heart: José Carbó – 7.30pm, 20 Mar.
The Events Centre, Caloundra
Spirit of Christmas (Sunshine Melodies) – 11am, 4 Dec.
Arty Pants Kid’s Festival – 10am–3pm, 15 Dec.
Looking Through A Glass Onion – 8pm, 10 Jan.
The Searchers – 2pm, 16 Feb.
More info.

Precious Little - An always eagerly awaited display of smaller work with Christmas in mind to help bring quality and originality back to gift giving…and possibly to draw up your own wish list? Until 24 Dec.
Summer Range - A selection of artworks by the gallery artists celebrating the joys of summer, from paintings to bronze, from porcelain to glass. These are delights to admire and enjoy. Jan 4-26
Image: 'Sunshine Coast' 12 colour silk screen print by John Coburn
More info.  Art on Cairncross, 3 Panorama Place, Cairncross Corner, Maleny.  

Josiane Calamel A Pictorial Symphony of amazing colour and design - Josie brings a wealth of colour to the Solo Gallery with her exhibition.
Ellen Appleby Something about Africa - Ellen Appleby's recent sojourn in Africa has influenced the new ceramic works in this display.
Harbourside Gallery artists present Artscapes in Miniature - 20 artists are represented in this exhibition of small paintings.
More info. Harbourside Gallery is open daily from 10am until 4pm at Noosa Marina.

Join the Caloundra Chorale and the CCTC Show Biz Kids for this very special Christmas concert which includes all your favourite carols, featured soloists, audience sing-a-long and a special presentation of the Christmas Musical ‘King of Love’ by Rodger Strader. More info. 7.30pm, Fri 13 Dec, 2.00pm, Sat 14 Dec and Sun 15 Dec. CCTC Theatre, 3 Piringa Street, Wurtulla. $20/$18/$15/$10 (includes supper/afternoon tea).

Coastal Reflections is an exhibit by Owen Thomas (watercolours) and Chris Postle (acrylics & oils). Owen Thomas' painting is fluid and expressive with a free and emotional style. He attempts to capture the essence of the subject so that it is immediately recognisable but allows room for the viewers' own interpretations. Chris Postle is currently exploring a diversity of styles and subjects allowing the creative juices to evolve and entertain. More info. Until 12 Dec.

Research for a Masters of Creative Arts took Alan Stuart-Watt to Cambodia. This journey took nine months and recorded the everyday lives of the local people. The images are complemented with relevant Cambodian history, offering a contribution to journeying photographers and an important record of contemporary Cambodia. More info. Until 6 Dec, Maroochydore Library, free.

Check the Sunshine Coast Daily on 26 January for an up-to-date listing of Australia Day community celebrations and the announcement of the region’s 2014 Australia Day recipients. 8am, 26 Jan, Kings Beach.

Noosa Arts Theatre leads into Christmas with a very classic Christmas story. The Fall and Rise of Mr Scrooge is pitched for all ages. It is not a pantomime and it will recreate the Scrooge story in its Victorian setting and have a very genuine Dickensian feel about it. More info. 1 Dec, 6 Dec, 7 Dec, Noosa Arts Theatre, $15.

The Sunshine Coast Choral Society has a concert of Christmas Music with Adrian King conductor, Natasha Koch accompanist, and Karina Gough soprano. 2.30pm, 8 Dec, Nambour Uniting Church, $20. Enquiries and tickets 5444 3899.

Chroma256 is a project developed to explore relationships to colour in an international context. The project involves design students in Australia, China, Turkey, Ecuador, South Africa, India, Germany and the United States undertaking the same colour project with the outcome being exhibited in each country. The purpose of the project is to create an awareness of the complexity of our relationship and use of colour and to explore whether a standardisation is occurring due to computer-based technologies, both in terms of the internet and in the teaching of design, where software has also become international. Is digital technology creating a cultural space that requires a particular kind of conformity; technological sophistication masking cultural simplicity/homogeneity? More info. 13 Feb-22 Mar, USC Gallery, free.

The seasonal tradition of ‘wassailing’ will be celebrated at the Wassail Christmas Cheer Concerts being presented by the Noosa Chorale in December. Guest soloist Andrew Pryor will be joining the choristers in a mixed program of rarely heard and familiar carols. Andrew was a founding member of the Ten Tenors, later joined the four-man Tenorissimos and performs regularly for Opera Queensland. More info. 7.30pm, 14 and 15 Dec, Bicentennial Hall, Sunshine Beach, $30.

There will be an explosion of joyful sound when the Sunshine Coast Concert Band present their Christmas Crackers concert in the Kawana Community Hall (behind the Kawana Library, Nanyima St, Buddina). This is the band's last hurrah for 2013, so it will feature some tunes from recent concerts which the band members have selected as their favourites - a Dixie Group playing Medleys of Gershwin and Glen Miller, an African Symphony and an American Patrol - ie a very diverse selection. 2pm, 8 Dec, Kawana Community Hall, $12.

This wonderful Christmas evening features The Late Shift Big Band. All profits from the evening will be donated to local charity "The House With No Steps" Doonan. More info. 7.30pm, Sat 7 Dec, The Majestic Theatre, Pomona, $25/$15.

The Events Centre is hosting an interactive family fun day to allow parents to engage with their children (aged 4 to 10) one on one in the discovery and exploration of the creative, performing and visual arts. Join Peter Pan and Tinkerbell on an adventure to save Christmas and Neverland from the clutches of Hook and his goofy pirates. There will also be an appearance from Santa himself, and other various roving entertainers. More info. 15 Dec, The Events Centre, Caloundra, $15.

Annual small works show: Minutiae - 43 Artists 430+ artworks from $35 - $350, from 4 Dec until 2 Feb. Opening night Fri 6 Dec. More info. Rosebed St Gallery, 13 Rosebed St, Eudlo.

The Maroochy Regional Bushland Botanic Gardens children’s programs combine science and art into an exciting and innovative educational program for children and young adults. Workshops and activities are delivered by highly skilled environmentalists and artists and are designed to engage children with their natural world through creative hands-on learning. More info.

Get Creative – Be inspired by the latest exhibition then spend time creating your own artworks. A series of free family activities. All ages welcome. 10am-12 noon, Sat 21 Dec and Sat 19 Jan, free, no bookings required.
Summer ArtsCool – 2D Artwork. Learn exciting mixed media skills and techniques with an experienced art teacher to create a colourful 2D artwork inspired by current exhibition Colour is My Voice. 11am-12 noon (5-8yrs) and 12.30-2.00pm (9-12yrs), Fri 10 Jan, $8, bookings essential.
Kids’ Mosaics with Suzanne Hoskin – Students will develop skills in design, cutting, gluing and grouting and create a unique artwork to take home. 6 to 16 years. 10am-noon, Tues 17 Dec, $25, bookings essential.
Clay Bodies with Julie Wall – 9.30am-12.30pm, Weds, $25/session plus materials, bookings essential.
Wheelwork and Hand Building Pottery with Monika Juengling – 9.30am-12.30pm, Thursdays (ongoing), $35/session plus materials, bookings essential.
More info. 

Zinc Up! Surf’s Up! Kids' Club – 10am, Sat 7 Dec, 10am, $3. No bookings required.
Perfect Blend with surfing legend and journalist Andrew McKinnon – 10.30am, Thurs 12 Dec, free, RSVP required.
Surf Movie Screenings – Surf’s Up!, The Endless Summer, Morning of the Earth.
ArtsCool Holiday Workshops – Creative classes for 5 to 12 years, 17 and 20 Dec, $15, bookings and prepayment essential.
ArtsCool Holiday Workshops – Creative classes for 5 to 12 years, 14 and 17 Jan, $8, bookings and prepayment essential.
More info.

Special SUMMER Family Day - Celebrate Christmas this year with a creative twist. Free festive children’s art activities, suitable for young and old. 11am-2pm, Sun 15 Dec.
Close Encounters Floor Talk - Join Vic Jakes for an informative and fascinating exploration of the birds in the Noosa biosphere. 2pm, Sun 15 Dec, free, bookings essential.
Mark of the Artist - Join Elizabeth Shaw, Winner SCAP 3D ’12 as she shares her practice and an insight into her residency here on the Sunshine Coast. 10.30-11.30am, Fri 13 Dec, gold coin donation, bookings essential.
School Holiday Program - 1.30-3.00pm, Wed 18 Dec (8-12yrs), 10.30am-12.00pm, Thurs 19 Dec (5-7yrs), 1.30-3.00pm, Thurs 19 Dec (8-12yrs), continuing into January. Contact Gallery for details.
Coffee and Conversations - Enjoy a relaxed and informative atmosphere with Vic Jakes. 10.30-11.30am, Wed 8 Jan, gold coin donation, bookings essential.
Family Day: It's all for the birds - Free children's art activities, suitable for young and old. 11am-2pm, Sun 12 Jan, free, no bookings required.
Kim Schoenberger Teabag Latch Hook Workshop - BYO latch hook, all other materials provided. 10.30am-1.30pm, Sat 25 Jan, $35, booking and prepayment essential. 
Meet the Artist Tea Party - An informal gathering over tea and cake with artist Kim Schoenberger. 10.30-11.30am, Fri 31 Jan, gold coin donation, bookings essential.
More info.

A two-day residential physical comedy workshop is being held at the Crystal Waters Permaculture Village on the 3rd and 4th of January 2014.  The workshop will be led by Hardey McMurrick founder of Flying Heart Productions and physical theatre performer with over 20 years experience. Most recently in August this year Hardey took out the Bronze Pavement Award at the Festival De Artistes De Rue in Switzerland with his show “Love Case Suit Nut”. More info.

Noosa Arts and Crafts is holding their legendary annual Christmas Sale at Wallace House, 7 Wallace Drive, Noosaville. An exquisite display of unique creations, handcrafted by experienced artists and artisans, all modestly priced. Starts Saturday 23rd November, open 9.30am-3.30pm daily until Sat 30 Nov. For more information click here. Wallace House, 7 Wallace Drive, Noosaville.

Check out all the great Flying Arts workshops here.

Hebel Sculpture Workshop with Matt Drewett - Sun 1 Dec.
Weavery Workshops with Rene Bahloo - West African weaving technique from Burkina Faso. Sat 7 Dec Garlic Baskets and Wed 11 Dec - Lampshades.
More info.

The State Library holds over 100,000 pieces of sheet music. These songs and piano works encompass the Georgian, Victorian, Edwardian and modern eras. Check our the website here to find out how to register and make use of this facility.

Youth Arts Queensland announces a new initiative – free online professional development called the ‘How to…’ Learning Series. This series will provide industry expert advice, for both professionals in the youth arts industry and for young artists and artsworkers.  The series responds to the rise of online self-teaching, and recognises the vast distances between our members across our large state. More info.

Check out their website and sign up for their enewsletter here.

Check out their e-newsletter here and subscribe for monthly workshops, competitions and more.

Read the Flying Arts E-newsletter here.

The website provides individuals and heritage organisations with the opportunity of freely sharing their local heritage at a centralised location. More info.

Subscribe here.

RADF supports professional artists and organisations to develop original and innovative quality arts and cultural projects. More info. Closes 1 March.  

Submissions for Arts Queensland's Play Queensland Touring Fund and the Super Star Fund are now open. The Playing Queensland Fund provides funding for performing arts touring. The aim is to increase the number of touring arts productions, extend the reach of the tours and double the touring arts experiences in regional communities. More info.

Through Plus1, Creative Partnerships will match dollar for dollar up to $50,000 in funds raised by artists and not for profit (NFP) arts organisations for approved projects that build their development capacity and meet defined criteria. More info.

This grant program supports Australian arts companies and presenters to invite artists and companies from Asia to present their work, or undertake a commissioned project with an associated premiere, in Australia. The grant is focused on public outcomes that will connect exciting contemporary work from Asia with Australian audiences. Applications close on 28 March 2014 for grants of up to $75,000 for projects commencing after 1 July 2014. More info.

For individual artists and cultural workers (emerging and established) to participate in transformational professional and career development opportunities. Up to $10,000 can be applied for, with four rounds per year. More info.

A total of $150,000 from Copyright Agency’s philanthropic Cultural Fund is allocated annually to a separate funding pool known as the Creative Industries’ Career Fund. This fund offers individual creators and those involved in the publishing and visual arts industries a maximum of $5,000 to undertake training, travel or other activities that will enhance their careers. Click here for more information.

For projects or programs of activities by an individual, organisation or collective. Two rounds each year with up to $60,000 available per project or program. More info.

The Australia Council for the Arts has released its 2013 Funding Guide. The guide provides information about the 92 grants programs and initiatives currently on offer in 2013. The guide is available here.

Click here for more information about Australia Council Grants that are currently available.

The Australian Artists' Grant (formerly the Janet Holmes à Court Artists' Grant) gives financial assistance to professional artists for the public presentation of their work. More info.

Arts Queensland funding webpage has been updated to include funding fact sheets relating to art form areas, grant tips and other sources of funding. Arts Queensland’s funding programs that are currently open for applications are also detailed. More info.

The ArtStart program assists recent arts graduates to make the transition from studying to having a professional career in the arts. Grants fund services, resources, skills development and/or equipment to help artists build an income-generating career in the arts. More info. Closes 3 Feb.

World Wetlands Day falls on February 2nd each year and commemorates the anniversary of the signing of the Convention on Wetlands of International Importance (Ramsar Convention). The theme for World Wetlands Day 2014 is Wetlands and Agriculture. Our Photography Prize gives everyone an opportunity to share their favorite wetland and take part in raising awareness about the importance of wetlands for all life on our planet. More info. Closes 7 December.

Curate, a unique award launched by Fondazione Prada and the Qatar Museums Authority, is a global search for curatorial talent. More info. Closes 31 December.

Punctum is offering six annual residencies for artists in live arts, performance and multi arts. Now in its 7th year, these competitive Seedpod residencies offer opportunities to early career and confirmed artists to investigate, develop and present contemporary live arts in Central Victoria. Seedpod provides artists, producers, and audiences with access to regionally based arts professionals, resources and presentation spaces. More info. Closes 17 January.