From 2019 Mona Foma, the annual summer music, arts and culture festival, will leave Hobart and head to Launceston.
Yet another initiative of David Walsh, Tasmanian entrepreneur and owner of the Museum of Old and New Art (Mona), Mona Foma was first launched in Hobart in 2009.
In January 2018 Mona Foma held events in both Hobart and Launceston.
From 2019, for at least three years, Mona Foma will be held only in the northern Tasmanian city. The Premier of Tasmania announced that the State Government will commit $1.75 million to staging the event in Launceston in 2019, 2020, and 2021. Mona also contributes funds to staging the festival.
“Launceston really embraced the mini Mofo we held across the city in January this year,” said Mark Wilsdon, co-CEO of Mona, when announcing the move. “This funding will help us support the regional dispersal of inbound visitors to Tasmania. It will help us create a world-famous cultural event, industry and legacy in northern Tasmania, as Mona Foma did for Hobart when we launched in 2009.”
The curatorial team for Mona Foma 2019 is led by Brian Ritchie, who remains committed to including both international and local talent.
“We’re working to set up new collaborations between local artists and international acts and have already commenced talks with the broader Launceston arts community about major projects for festivals in future years,” said Wilsdon.
Mona Foma will be held in Launceston in January 2019. The dates for the festival will be released in August.
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