Image: David Gough in mapali, opening Ten Days on the Island Festival in 2021

Ten Days on the Island welcomed the announcement today by the Minister for Communications, Cyber Security and the Arts, the Hon Paul Fletcher of funds for the costs of its major community project for the North West for Festival 21.

“We are thrilled to have received funding from Festivals Australia which will allow us to deliver mapali: Dawn Gathering, the opening event for Ten Days on the Island 2021,” said Artistic Director Lindy Hume.

“With this support we can expand Ten Days’ iconic event and provide opportunities for many more Tasmanian artists and audiences to participate in this large-scale joyful cultural celebration of welcome on the Burnie foreshore.

“We look forward to our creative journey towards daybreak on 5 March 2021 when the North West community will share this signature activity to launch Ten Days on the Island’s 20th year celebrations with the whole of Tasmania.

“Ten Days is proud to be working with key Aboriginal leaders, the local community and Tasmanian artists on this project which is central to the vision of the 2021 Festival and we are pleased it will now be fully realised.”

Federal Liberal member for Braddon, Gavin Pearce MP said the Government recognises the value of the arts in regional Australia.

“I am delighted that the Minister for the Arts has confirmed funding for this exciting and original project to be presented in the heart of our community.

“Ten Days on the Island is a major international arts festival based in Burnie and its work with local artists and communities makes a very real and important contribution to the social, cultural and economic life of our region.  I cannot wait to join the community on the Burnie foreshore at dawn on 5 March to share this marvellous cultural celebration and welcome the sunrise.”

Ten Days on the Island will run from 5-29 March 2021 across the state of Tasmania. The full program will be announced in January 2021.