Premier confirms Mona Foma cash as part of $6 million northern arts funding

A STATE Government commitment of $1.75 million will result in the Mona Foma festival being held in Launceston for the next three years.

Mona Foma curator Brian Ritchie, left, and Premier Will Hodgman with Mona Foma 2018 performers Suzanne Turner and Adam Simmons.

A STATE Government commitment of $1.75 million will result in the Mona Foma festival being held in Launceston for the next three years.

Premier Will Hodgman has announced total arts funding of $6 million for northern Tasmania including $150,000 a year for long-running food and wine event Festivale.

“Mona Foma has the capacity to be a truly transformative event for Northern Tasmania with thousands of new visitors expected to experience this festival and all the region has to offer each year from now until 2021,” he said.

The festival has been moved to the state’s north because of works for a new hotel at the Mona site in Berriedale.

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Mona co-chief executive Mark Wilsdon said the funding would mean the festival could be done properly when held in January.

Mona co-chief executive Mark Wilsdon. Picture: LUKE BOWDEN

“It’s a mammoth task to take an entire festival like Mona Foma to a new city. We weren’t interested in putting together a watered down Mona Foma,” he said.

“This funding will help us support the regional dispersal of inbound visitors to Tasmania.

“It will help us create a world-famous cultural event, industry and legacy in northern Tasmania, as Mona Foma did for Hobart when we launched in 2009.”

Mr Wilsdon said Launceston had embraced a mini Mofo held in January this year.

“Around 5000 people turned up to our free Bloc Party at QVMAG,” he said.

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Mr Wilsdon said the line-up would include local artists and international acts.

“We’re working closely with Launceston’s arts, tourism, education and business communities as we plan for our next festival, and it seems that everybody is up for it,” he said.

During the election campaign Labor promised $8 million over four years for a northern Mona Foma.

The chair of the Junction Arts festival Liz Frankham said Launceston would embrace the Mona effect as it came north and morphed into something distinctly Launceston.

“It will be of benefit to the northern region and arts community generally,” she said.

Launceston Chamber of Commerce executive officer Neil Grose said the event would grow the visitor economy and further develop the vibrancy of the arts scene.