Glenorchy Arts and Sculpture Park funding cut but boardwalk to remain open

More than $100,000 a year for the Glenorchy Art and Sculpture Park has been pulled due to COVID-19 pandemic financial restraints, as the council reveals the future of the boardwalk.

The Glenorchy Art & Sculpture Park boardwalk in Hobart, Tasmania. Picture: SUPPLIED

MORE than $100,000 a year for the Glenorchy Art and Sculpture Park has been pulled but infrastructure including the boardwalk and pavilion will remain accessible to the public.

Glenorchy City Council voted (9-1) to cease future funding GASP Inc, the organisation which curates the park at Montrose Bay and Wilkinsons Point.

Glenorchy Mayor Kristie Johnston said the decision was made due to council’s financial constraints resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic.

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“We absolutely treasure our GASP infrastructure, in particular the boardwalk and the pavilion, and will continue to maintain and improve them, despite us no longer funding the organisation that curates GASP,” Mayor Johnston said.

“Our community will always have complete access to those facilities, however we simply cannot justify continuing to give more than $100,000 per year of our ratepayers’ money to an independent and private arts company for curatorial purposes.”

GASP has been in existence for 10 years as an incorporated body with base funding support from Glenorchy City Council.

GASP CEO Frances Butler said she was “extremely disappointed” with the decision and that the GASP Board of Directors would soon meet to determine the organisation’s future in light of the funding withdrawal.

Council’s current funding agreement with GASP Inc. expires on 30 June 2020.