TAS GOVT BUDGET STATEMENT

14 June 2018

ELISE ARCHER

Minister for Arts

Delivering for the Arts

The Hodgman Liberal Government is a strong supporter of Tasmania’s cultural and creative industries.

In the 2018-19 State Budget we are committing additional funding of more than $3.5 million to the Arts, including:

• $2 million for a Screen Innovation Fund to back strategically important projects for Tasmania’s screen sector. Up to 25% of this funding will be earmarked for new, innovative, proof-of-concept productions;
• $1 million for a new highly-interactive children’s exhibition at the Tasmanian Museum and Art Gallery (TMAG). The new exhibition will give children the opportunity to learn, explore and experiment in an exhibition built especially for them, starting a lifelong love of learning and discovery in our State’s premier cultural institution;
• $400,000 for philanthropic support of the TMAG and QVMAG (Queen Victoria Museum and Art Gallery) in Launceston. We will match funds raised by TMAG and QVMAG’s Arts Foundations on a dollar for dollar basis, up to $50,000 per annum over four years; and
• $240,000 for Exporting Tasmanian Galleries and Artists. We will provide $80,000 per annum over three years to support the representation of Tasmanian galleries and artists at two of Australia’s premier International Art Fairs - Sydney Contemporary and Melbourne Art Fair.

The Tasmanian Government believes that our cultural and creative industries are important elements of our community and our economy, helping to make Tasmania the fantastic place it is to live, work and raise a family.

The 2018-19 State Budget demonstrates that we have a Plan to ensure our creative and cultural industries continue to thrive well into the future.

AS REPORTED IN THE ANNUAL REPORT THE QVMAG RECEIVED

• $1.451M 'OPERATIONS GRANT' from the Tas Govt.
• Generated $572K Income via fees and charges
• Received $28K via various unspecified grants
• Received $207K in bequests and donations
• Received $43K via other unspecified income

Moreover, the institution holds in its collections cultural material with an estimated value of $237Bn plus that are held in TRUST – the cultural property of Tasmanians, indeed Australians and is an important component of the national estate.

NOTE: The QVMAG is managed, indeed imagined as, a City of Launceston 'Cost Centre'.  Consistent with this there is no imperative that it generate income and its performance reflect this. Typically cultural institutions operating in this way survival represents 'success'.