Elise Archer,Minister for the Arts
The Tasmanian Government is continually working on ways to support individuals and industries doing it tough as a result of COVID-19.
The State's cultural and creative sector has been high on our priority list in terms of support and this was reflected in the very early action we took with substantial stimulus measures already announced.
In fact, the Tasmanian cultural and creative industries stimulus package has been independently recognised as the best per capita of any State or Territory by ArtsHub.com (8 May 2020).
Yesterday, I announced that 61 individuals and organisations would benefit from $900,000 of approved funding as part of the first stage of our $1.5 million for the industry.
We have also brought forward $2 million in funding to support individuals and organisations in the cultural and creative sector in response to COVID-19.
In addition, $3 million has been provided to TMAG through our Public Building Fund for important maintenance works whilst the museum is closed to the public.
In fact, just yesterday at the Tasmanian Symphony Orchestra's studio in Hobart, I was joined by members of the TSO and the Van Diemen's Band who were extremely delighted and grateful for the significant support our Government is providing to the sector.
I highly doubt the Shadow Minister for the Arts has even engaged with anyone from the industry as she seems to be spending all her time taking daily pot shots for political gain.
Our Government will continue to look at more ways to support the arts and I will continue to work constructively with those individuals and organisations who make our creative and cultural sector so great.
