AusLeisure

Leading regional arts group Tasmanian Regional Arts (TRA) is to cease activities after 70 years of operations having failed to receive backing from the Federal Government.

The organisation, which provides cultural and insurance support for 1,300 members across Tasmania, has been unsuccessful in securing enough operational funding.

Two years ago, the organisation received $465,000 in Federal money for projects but this year it has been unable to secure $150,000 needed in operational funding from the Tasmanian Government.

As a result, several staff will lose their jobs.

Deputy Chairman Travis Tiddy said the organisation had supported the arts in every community across Tasmania, stating “it's left an imprint on so many Tasmanians.

"It's very clear that (Arts Tasmania) have a limited pool of funding to dish out in the Tasmanian Arts Sector.

"We have one full-time with the CEO and we have a number of part-time staff members.

"Those people have worked really hard over the last few years on the renewal of the organisation."

TRA Chairwoman Annette Downs said the group had been critical in linking and supporting regional artists and the decision had not been made lightly.

Downs added “this decision will impact upon many people who have supported and cherished the organisation over many years, including life members and staff.

"The TRA staff and state executive committee have left no stone unturned in trying to find a sustainable ongoing funding base for the organisation."

A review of the organisation in 2014 by Arts Tasmania and the Australia Council for the Arts resulted in moving it from Latrobe to Launceston with a renewed focus on a statewide service.

Downs said TRA was trying to ensure member services to regional and remote Tasmanians would be delivered by other groups.

11th December 2016 - MONA REVEALS PLANS FOR RECONCILIATION ART PARK IN HOBART

16th October 2015 - MORE THAN 300 ARTISTS TO PERFORM AT 2016 MOFO CONTEMPORARY MUSIC AND ART FESTIVAL IN HOBART 

18th August 2015 - LONELY PLANET NAMES THREE TASMANIAN DESTINATIONS IN ‘ULTIMATE TRAVEL LIST’ 

23rd August 2014 - TASMANIA LOOKS TO BOOST TOURISM IN ITS NATURAL AREAS 

7th July 2014 - THEATRE ROYAL HOBART NAMED PERFORMING ARTS CENTRE OF THE YEAR

31st July 2012 - $75 MILLION PERFORMING ARTS ACADEMY PROPOSED FOR HOBART’S CBD 

Asking a small favour
We hope that you value the news that we publish so while you're here can we ask for your support?

The news we publish at www.ausleisure.com.au is independent, credible (we hope) and free for you to access, with no pay walls and no annoying pop-up ads.

However, as an independent publisher, can we ask for you to support us by subscribing to the printed Australasian Leisure Management magazine - if you don't already do so.

Published bi-monthly since 1997, the printed Australasian Leisure Management differs from this website in that it publishes longer, in-depth and analytical features covering aquatics, attractions, entertainment, events, fitness, parks, recreation, sport, tourism and venues management.

Subscriptions cost just $90 a year.

Click here to subscribe.

Support our industry news service
We hope that you value the news that we publish so while you're here can we ask for your support?

As an independent publisher, we need reader support for our industry news gathering so ask that - if you don't already do so - you back us by subscribing to the printed Australasian Leisure Management magazine and/or our online news.