TMAG grows reputation as a tourism drawcard for Tasmania

The Tasmanian Museum and Art Gallery (TMAG) Annual Report tabled 27th November confirms strong growth in visitation for the third consecutive year.

In the last year visitation to the Museum’s city site has increased by 8% to over 436 000, up from 403 662 in 2016-17. This represents continued growth of around 21% over the past three years.

When TMAG’s house museums and research facilities are included, total visitation rose to just over 446 700 over the past year. This result confirms TMAG’s standing as a cultural and tourism drawcard for the state.

TMAG’s continued success in delivering a vibrant and engaging schedule of exhibitions and public programs, have contributed to the growth.

Exhibitions such as The Derwent and The Remarkable Tasmanian Devil, showcasing some of Tasmanian icons, generated very positive feedback from visitors throughout the year.

These two exhibitions were also recognised at a national level by achieving ‘highly commended’ in the Temporary and Travelling Exhibitions category at the 2018 Museums and Galleries National Awards (MAGNAs).

The Annual Report also shows TMAG has made significant progress towards sustainability by developing a sound financial base and balancing its budget for the third year in a row.

As a result of the Government’s commitment to establish a more contemporary governance framework for the museum, the Tasmanian Museum and Art Gallery Act 2017 came into effect on 14 February 2018, establishing TMAG as a statutory authority with a broad skills-based Board.

The Government will continue to work closely with the TMAG Board of Trustees to ensure TMAG is well positioned to deliver on its strategic objectives and is able to support the continued growth of Tasmania’s cultural and creative industries and visitor economy.

Chair of TMAG’s Board of Trustees, Mr Geoff Willis AM  reports that "the 2017-18 year has been one of significant progress for the museum with excellent outcomes across the board."