Imminent reopening of MONA will help boost Tasmania’s tourism industry

Tasmania's COVID-19 impacted tourism sector is soon to be boosted with the reopening of Hobart’s Museum of Old and New Art (MONA) on Boxing Day – having been shut since March.

Like many popular tourist locations, MONA was forced to close its doors due to COVID-19 and has used that time to revamp the Museum to ensure its popular exhibitions and attractions will be even more engaging upon reopening.

Tasmanian Minister for the Arts, Elise Archer advised “the Tasmanian Government is an avid supporter of the cultural and creative sector, and we welcome today’s announcement that the Museum of Old and New Art (MONA) is preparing to reopen.

“The iconic Tasmanian attraction will reopen several of its spaces to the public on Boxing Day ahead of its tenth anniversary and will be open four days a week from Fridays to Monday. The news comes on the same day we welcome travellers from Victoria back to our State without quarantine – both significant milestones as we continue on our journey to recover from COVID-19.”

Its galleries have undergone a revamp, and among the new installations will be an interactive seven-metre-high bronze sculpture on the museum lawns, which will double as a children's playground. The work by American artist Tom Otterness features two figures with slides for limbs.

MONA Owner and founder David Walsh advised "We are, of course, aware that we are reopening just before our tenth anniversary. We've dug out some old stuff to commemorate our opening."

MONA Director of Collections and Exhibitions, Nicole Durling is excited to be welcoming people back "what is art if there is no audience? Human beings are social beings, we want to be together and experience ideas together.”

Minister Archer also highlighted “MONA is a drawcard for many interstate visitors to our State who come to experience the world class attraction, but then stay on to experience everything our island has to offer – so it’s reopening is important news not only for our cultural and creative sector, but also for our visitor economy.”

When the museum reopens, Tasmanians — who have never been charged to enter MONA — will be required to pre-book their trip and make a deposit. They will receive their deposit back providing they show up. Visitors aged under 18 are not required to make a deposit but will have to book.

A notice on MONA's website reads "We are restricted with numbers so we can't have people booking and then not showing up.

"If you do that, the cost is $10 and a lifetime of shame."

MONA co-Chief Executive, Mark Wilsdon said all 400 staff would return to work explaining "we were able tighten up and we were able to get some things done, the JobKeeper stimulus has been very supportive in that way.”

Minister Archer is encouraging “locals and visitors alike to come and enjoy the amazing experiences on offer at MONA from Boxing Day, and I commend the work staff have put in to ensure the Museum continues to be a must see and much loved attraction long into the future.”

Image: Hobart's Museum of Old and New Art Credit: Facebook- MONA