Dark Mofo artistic director Chris Twite to deliver major announcement on next year’s event

Dark Mofo Artistic Director Chris Twite has delivered a devastating blow in regards to next year’s festival. LATEST

LATEST, September 22, 9.30am: In a shock announcement on Friday, new Dark Mofo artistic director Chris Twite has hit pause on next year’s festival, citing the break as a “period of renewal”.

“Dark Mofo intends to reshape a more sustainable model for a full return in 2025, and set the foundation for the next 10 years,” a statement from DarkLab read.

“Despite achieving record attendances and box office results this year, it is essential for organisers to take stock of changing conditions and rising costs, in order to reset the festival for the future.

Dark Mofo is entering a period of slumber. Picture: Jesse Hunniford / Darklab

“The festival organisers announced that they have, however, reached an agreement with the State Government to present two important aspects of the festival in 2024 — the Winter Feast and the Nude Solstice Swim. These two key events will also coincide with the opening of a new major exhibition at the Museum of Old and New Art (Mona).”

Mr Twite said the state government had been “proactive in offering solutions” to proceed with the festival in 2024, but “ultimately the organisers opted for a reduced scope that would honour Dark Mofo’s strong commitment to local community and small businesses, and give the organisation the time and space to set the stage for another decade of darkness”.

“We are thankful for the support and assistance that the state government has shown in response to our need to reshape for the future,” Mr Twite said.

“Dark Mofo has always been dedicated to enriching and transforming lives through ambitious art and ideas. We want to make sure that we have a festival that continues to deliver incredible art and artists, that continues to expand its artistic boundaries and remains a beacon of creativity, innovation, and cultural significance.

“While this was a tough decision, it ensures we move forward in a viable manner. The fallow year will enable us to secure the future of Dark Mofo and its return at full force in 2025.”

Dates for the 2024 Winter Feast and Nude Solstice Swim will be announced soon.

‘David Walsh contributes so much to Tasmania’: Rockliff

Premier and Tourism Minister Jeremy Rockliff has reiterated the state government’s strong backing of Dark Mofo following the festival’s pause in 2024.

Mr Rockliff said the government would support Dark Mofo’s two major drawcards, the nude solstice swim and the winter feast, to continue in 2024.

“We understand Dark Mofo’s need for a smaller event in 2024 as they reshape the festival for the future, and we will continue to work closely with them on their plans when the full event returns in 2025,” Mr Rockliff said.

Premier Jeremy Rockliff has sung the praises of David Walsh, MONA and Dark Mofo. Picture: Nikki Davis-Jones

“David Walsh contributes so much to Tasmania, and we will continue our partnership with him and his team to deliver Dark Mofo into the future.”

The state government has contributed funding to the festival since it began in 2013.

To offset the tourism impacts, Mr Rockliff said the state government would significantly increase its investment in the Off Season winter promotion program to draw visitors to Tasmania in the cooler months.

“We are also working on a strategic airline partnership to drive bookings to the Tasmania in the Off Season, and we are investing an additional $1.8 million over three years into Tasmania’s Business Events Attraction Fund to attract more business events and conferences, with an immediate focus on winter 2024,” Mr Rockliff said.

Destination Southern Tasmania CEO Alex Heroys said Dark Mofo had been the state’s guiding cultural light for the past ten years.

“I know I speak on behalf of thousands and thousands of Tasmanians who could not be more grateful to the team at Dark Lab and David Walsh himself for delivering the past 10 years of Dark Mofo,” Mr Heroys said.

“It is understandable that they need some time to reset and plan for the future.”

Mr Heroys welcomed the continuation of the nude swim and winter feast.

INITIAL, September 22, 7.30am: The artistic director behind Dark Mofo, Tasmania’s biggest festival and one of the state’s most prominent tourism drawcards, will deliver a major announcement on Friday morning regarding next year’s event.

What could be in store for next year’s Dark Mofo? Picture: Rosie Hastie/DarkLab

New Artistic Director Chris Twite, who signed a three-year contract starting in 2024 and is replacing longstanding chief Leigh Carmichael, will address media on Friday at 9.30am at Princes Wharf No. 1 Forecourt in Hobart.

Chris Twite is replacing longstanding artistic director Leigh Carmichael, and will provide Friday’s announcement. Picture: DarkLab Media.

A media alert issued by DarkLab on Thursday afternoon did not allude to what the announcement would be, but as with all things helmed by David Walsh – mystery remains a fixed element.

Dark Mofo was first launched in 2013 by Mr Walsh as the winter counterpart to the MONA FOMA festival, but has since become the drawcard event with its Winter Feast, international music and entertainment acts, art exhibits and installations and its winter solstice nude swim.

More to come.

Originally published as Dark Mofo artistic director Chris Twite to deliver major announcement on next year’s event