The decision to cease the funding of the Tasmanian Theatre Company, which develops, supports and showcases some of the State’s most talented artists, is further evidence of the Labor Government’s lack of support for Tasmania’s Arts community.
It has been almost two months since Cabinet finalised the decision to axe the Department of Environment, Parks, Heritage and the Arts and promised that it would save millions of dollars, and it would seem that the consequences of this hasty decision are still being felt.
The decision to stop funding the TTC comes after hundreds of thousands of dollars has been spent on new premises for Arts Tasmania whilst cuts to the Arts budget reduced grants and services for the artistic community.
This State Government, however, has spent a decade wasting opportunities to build a more vibrant and exciting Tasmania that will make this island a magnet for young and old. And the priorities of this Government must be questioned when it will spend more on office space for Arts Tasmania while cutting into the budget of programs and services for Tasmanian artists.
Last year, I attended the national ‘2020 summit’, where I participated in the Creative Australia stream, and pushed the potential for Tasmania to be the home of a national centre for the arts in Tasmania to foster innovation and creativity.
By cutting funding and preventing the TTC from continuing to operate, interaction with professional performances will be limited to those who have access to the major capital cities and could potentially discourage others from a career in the Arts.
Will Hodgman MP Leader of the State Opposition
