David Walsh personally contributes between $3 and $5 million each year to Dark Mofo

Dark Mofo’s artistic director explains the decision to pause the festival.

Australian businessman David Walsh at the Sohn Hearts & Minds investment conference in Hobart. Picture - Supplied

Not even Tasmania’s most famous festival can withstand skyrocketing costs and economic uncertainty facing major events across the board.

On Friday Dark Mofo artistic director Chris Twite confirmed the festival would not be held in 2024, to allow for a rethink of the festival from 2025.

However the Winter Feast and the Nude Solstice Swim will be held next year with state government backing.

Chris Twite artistic director Dark Mofo. Dark Mofo arts festival put on 'pause' for 2024 with only two events to take place. Picture: Nikki Davis-Jones

These two key events will coincide with the opening of a major new exhibition at Mona.

Mr Twite said last year was the festival’s biggest, but also one of its most challenging.

“We are like all businesses facing escalating costs...even despite our record breaking year last year, it’s about us now choosing to take this time to address these changes to our landscape head on,” he said.

“While it’s a tough decision, it allows us the time to ensure we have a festival for another decade of darkness and allows us to face head on rising costs and changing conditions. To ensure that future ahead of a full return in 2025.”

Mr Twite thanked the state government for supporting the Winter Feast and swim to run in 2024.

Decade of Dark Mofo stories, galleries and videos from 2013 to 2023

“We know that Winter Feast is a favourite of Tasmanians and interstate visitors alike, we’re excited that even amongst this renewal, that we can offer that to visitors and to Tasmanians...they can come out and commune around the fires so we can look forward to the future,” he said.

Founding artistic director Leigh Carmichael told the Mercury in June Dark Mofo was facing financial challenges.

Mr Carmichael said the festival could essentially no longer afford to run for two weeks.

A spokeswoman said Dark Mofo ran at an operating loss of between $3-5m a year, which was David Walsh’s personal contribution to the event.

“He has contributed over $30M over the past 10 years. He remains committed to the festival for the next decade,” the spokeswoman said.

Originally published as David Walsh personally contributes between $3 and $5 million each year to Dark Mofo