Ten Days on the Island welcomes a future–focused approach to arts, culture and creativity in Tasmania 

Ten Days on the Island welcomes the Premier’s announcement in his State of the State Address to bring together Tourism, Events and Creative Tasmania into a single entity, supporting a connected approach intended to amplify the consequential impact of the arts on Tasmania’s attractiveness and liveability. 

We also welcome the proposed development of a new strategic plan to boost arts and culture. This announcement reflects the importance of the creative sector to Tasmania’s economic strength and long-term prosperity. 

As Tasmania’s original statewide, artist–led festival, Ten Days on the Island is uniquely positioned to understand the additional capacity that emerges when organisations work collaboratively across government portfolios. A vibrant arts ecology supports regional development, strengthens Tasmania’s brand identity, enriches our tourism offer, contributes to mental health and wellbeing, and plays a critical role in attracting and retaining a skilled, diverse workforce. 

Ten Days on the Island’s impact over the past 25 years demonstrates that investment in the arts drives economic activity, social cohesion, regional vitality and cultural confidence. Over this period, Ten Days on the Island has generated more than $340 million in economic impact, with more than 1.5 million people attending the festival. 

The most recent festival in 2025 reached more than 30,000 Tasmanians across the island, delivering $10.93 million in economic impact across Greater Hobart, $1.56 million in the North West, and $2.29 million in Launceston and the North East. The festival generated more than 6,600 bed nights statewide and was a primary reason audiences chose to travel to regional Tasmania. We agree that investment in the arts is an investment in community development, creativity, diversity and cultural identity. 

Ten Days on the Island looks forward to working closely with the Premier and the Arts and Events Ministers to realise our shared aspiration for a culturally vibrant Tasmania that is attractive to Tasmanians and visitors alike. 

Alongside this statement, Ten Days on the Island is also releasing a reflective essay by Tasmanian writer and artist Bert Spinks, which offers a lived, artist–led perspective on what a statewide festival can make possible. His essay speaks to the long–term cultural confidence, sense of belonging and permission to imagine that Ten Days on the Island has fostered across Tasmania – impacts that are not always easily captured in policy language, but are central to why arts and culture matter.  

Furthermore, to hear from our Artistic Director Marnie Karmelita, on her vision for the festival and our impact, a short video has also been released with this statement. 

LINK TO VIDEO   

LINK TO BERT SPINKS ESSAY  

“The festival has generated over $340 million in economic impact for Tasmania, but the real value is measured in healthier, happier communities.” 
– Marnie Karmelita.  

“My first rendezvous with Ten Days on the Island was an invitation to create. The message I received was that it was possible to make out–of–the–ordinary art in Tasmania. It cannot be underestimated how much I needed to be given this permission.”
– Bert Spinks