Tasmania’s music, theatre and regional arts sectors given funding boost

The Tasmanian Government is investing in music, theatre, literature and regional arts to enable arts organisations to both develop long-term strategies, and provide opportunities for professional development.

Among the recipients of the Strategic Initiatives and Service Organisations Program are RANT Arts, Island Magazine, Music Tasmania, and the Tasmanian Live Performance Exchange.

Tasmanian Minister for the Arts and Heritage, Madeleine Ogilvie, said that the investment is designed to build capacity and address challenges in the Tasmanian arts sector adding "we're committed to empowering Tasmanian arts workers with the skills needed to keep up with changing national and international landscapes.

"As part of our 2030 Strong Plan for Tasmania's Future, we're also committed to enabling Tasmanians in regional communities to more easily access music and theatre."

Each of the four awardees of the program will receive $150,000 through the program administered by Arts Tasmania.

Notably, Island Magazine will use the investment to deliver the four-day Hobart Readers and Writers Festival in May 2026.

Welcoming the investment was Music Tasmania Chairperson Tony Fox who shared "partnerships and collaborations enable us to offer a broad range of programs, from educational sessions and industry access to performance opportunities, facilitating job creation within the industry.”

The $600,000 investment aligns with the post-COVID-19 Cultural and Creative Industries Recovery Strategy: 2020 and Beyond.

Image. The Sleepyheads. Credit: Music Tasmania/ Edward Noel Photography