Only a majority Gutwein Liberal Government has a clear plan to Secure Tasmania’s future and we have been the strongest supporter of the State’s arts sector.

I am pleased to announce that if re-elected, our Government will provide a 50 per cent increase in operational funding for Tasmania’s cultural and creative industries.

Our program will offer an additional $1.2 million each year over four years in operational assistance to support our vibrant artists and arts organisations to deliver a range of programs to inspire communities and audiences, and will help deliver confidence into the industry.

We will also invest an additional $200,000 for a small grants program to support Tasmanian artists returning to the ‘gig economy.’ This program will provide grants of up to $2,000 and is designed to assist artists, including sole traders, freelancers and self-employed artists get back to work by providing grants that will help with the purchase of equipment hire or upgrades, lessons, workshops and studio hire.

Importantly, this new funding will support small local events in local communities.

These additional funds will complement the significant support of more than $11 million our Government is providing the State’s cultural and creative sector in stimulus and recovery funding during what has been a challenging 12 months for artists and arts organisations.

Tasmania’s iconic events, including our renowned arts events, are loved locally and are tourism draw cards, and that’s why we also recently announced that a re-elected majority Gutwein Liberal Government will provide an $8 million Events Support and Attraction Fund, to secure existing iconic events and festivals, and importantly, attract new ones.

Continued momentum and confidence are vitally important to the ongoing growth and development of Tasmania’s arts sector, and our Government is committed to ensuring that high levels of production activity can be continued and sustained going forward.

Our Arts Policy can be viewed here.