Media release – Dark Labs, 22 September 2022
Dark Mofo on pause for 2024
After a decade of growing success, Dark Mofo organisers have today announced that the festival will pause in 2024 for a period of renewal. Taking a fallow year, Dark Mofo intends to reshape a more sustainable model for a full return in 2025, and set the foundation for the next 10 years.
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.
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).
Dark Mofo Artistic Director Chris Twite said that 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,” Chris 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.
“We are excited that in June 2024 — amidst the rebirth and renewal of Dark Mofo — that Tasmanians and visitors alike will still be able to meet and commune around the fires of Winter Feast and cast off the weight of another year at the Nude Solstice Swim once more,” he said.
Dates for the 2024 Winter Feast and Nude Solstice Swim will be announced soon.
Featured image above courtesy Jesse Hunniford & Dark MOFO 2023.
Media release – Jeremy Rockliff, Minister for Tourism and Hospitality; Nic Street, Minister for Stadia and Events, 22 September 2023
Dark Mofo setting stage for the next decade
Ten years on from inception, Dark Mofo organisers have today announced they will be changing focus for 2024 to enable their team time to set the stage for a stronger and more sustainable festival for the next decade.
Importantly, support from the Tasmanian Liberal Government has ensured two major pillars of the festival will continue next year, with the Winter Feast running over two weekends in Hobart and the popular Nude Solstice Swim will return.
Premier and Minister for Tourism and Hospitality Jeremy Rockliff thanked Dark Mofo for the past 10 years and reaffirmed his commitment to the next generation of festivals from 2025.
“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.
“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 Tasmanian Government has backed Dark Mofo since the first iteration in 2013.
Minister for Stadia and Events, Nic Street, said the Winter Feast is an iconic event on the winter calendar, showcasing some of Tasmania’s best food, wine and spirits over two weekends.
“The Winter Feast and Nude Solstice Swim will coincide with the opening of a new major exhibition at Mona, providing local and visitors with the chance to continue to embrace and celebrate the best of winter in Tasmania,” Minister Street said.
Premier Rockliff announced the Tasmanian Liberal Government would significantly increase its investment in the Off Season program next year 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,” the Premier said.
Minister Street said additional leisure event opportunities will also be explored for 2024 to ensure Tasmania continues to be a winter destination.
Media release – Small Business Council of Tasmania, 22 September 2023
Dark Mofo demonstrates risks of a benevolent monopoly
‘Today’s announcement by the newly minted Dark Mofo artistic director Chris Twite that Dark Mofo has hit pause on 2025 is a stark reminder of the risks of benevolent monopolies.
‘It is very easy to sit back and let someone else make the running. A mistake we can’t afford to make irrespective of the industry.
‘On the one hand it is a significant blow to small businesses across the state who were hoping that the unique phenomenon would continue to help boost their treasury in the dead of winter.
‘On the other, it is an opportunity which we all hope will be grasped by nimble small business entrepreneurs who will put on a range of activities to convince locals and visitors alike that Hobart and Tasmania is the only place to be in the solstice period.
‘A new offering involving new players, which could operate beside Dark Mofo after they have had their rest, would provide opportunities and build capacity for a more sustainable Tasmanian entertainment industry for decades to come.
‘Tasmania can not afford monopolies because if they change their mind, pull the pin, treble the price, we will all be the losers. There is nowhere else to go.
‘Let’s hope that a proliferation of red lights for that special fortnight in 2024 will remind organisers that they have been and will continual to be integral to us all having that deep sense of being Tasmanian.
Dark Mofo Announcement
“The Dark Mofo festival has been a game changer for Tasmania, bringing the state alive during our winter and ensuring hospitality venues keep ticking over during the tourism off-season.
“It is great that the Winter Feast and Nude Solstice Swim remain on the calendar for 2024, these two events are among the biggest drawcards of the Dark Mofo experience and their popularity continues to grow year on year.
“While the pausing of the wider festivities might be seen as a blow, what it will allow is the Government, the THA, Tourism Tasmania and TICT to work together to invest in other areas across the broader industry to ensure the state is still attracting visitors in our off season.
“I have full faith in Sarah Clark, Amy Hills and their respective teams to keep Tasmania front and centre throughout the year, and have no doubt when Dark Mofo returns in 2025 it will be back with a bang.”
