Tasmania's Museum of Old and New Art

Katelin Butler, returning to her home city of Hobart, reflects on how a new museum has brought about change.

AAs an eighteen-year-old living in the small Australian island state of Tasmania, moving to the ‘mainland’ could not happen soon enough. Now, ten years later, I look forward to going home. This is probably because I’ve grown up, but also perhaps because the cultural landscape of Tasmania has matured. The latest addition to Tasmania’s cultural scene is David Walsh’s Museum of Old and New Art (MONA), a museum that has established Hobart, the capital city of Tasmania, on the global art circuit.

BThis building is an example of how art and architecture can have an instant impact on the social and cultural reputation of a place. Andrew Bain of The Sydney Morning Herald wrote, “In a virtual blink, Hobart’s cultural landscape has been transformed, with art, wine, fine food and stylish accommodation becoming integral features of the city.... If Hobart’s makeover has an origin, it’s the opening of MONA—the Museum of Old and New Art.” MONA is said to have been solely instrumental in the reinvention of Hobart as a cultural hub.

CMONA made the national press and international blogs before it opened. After that, Tourism Industry Council of Tasmania’s chief executive, Luke Martin, claimed that MONA was proving so popular it was underpinning the tourism industry in Tasmania. However, MONA’s effect on Hobart has broader ramifications for Tasmania’s tourism industry. As reported in Hobart’s local paper, The Mercury, there is concern about how long people are staying in Tasmania. Rather than spending a week in the state and hiring a car to experience the beauty of the Tasmanian landscape, people are making short stays in Hobart only to visit the gallery. The next challenge for the state is how to entice holiday makers to stay longer, and to venture further afield. Tasmania is more than a one-hit wonder.

DAccording to Martin, possibilities for packaging up MONA with visits to other galleries around Tasmania are being investigated. Although not directly related to these

investigations, the 1891 Queen Victoria Museum and Art Gallery at Royal Park in Launceston is currently being restored to its original condition. It is hoped that a coordinated cultural tourism strategy will encourage longer stays and wider exploration.

ENevertheless, the success of MONA is undeniable. Visitor numbers have consistently exceeded projections, and its unique approach—blending ancient artifacts with contemporary works in a labyrinthine, subterranean setting—has drawn praise and curiosity worldwide. Walsh’s vision was not merely to create a gallery, but to provoke thought and conversation, a goal that seems to resonate powerfully with both locals and international tourists. The museum’s effect extends beyond tourism, fostering local pride and stimulating economic activity in once-quiet suburbs of Hobart. Some argue, however, that this rapid cultural shift risks overshadowing Tasmania’s other historical and natural attractions.

Questions 27–32

Choose YES if the statement agrees with the claims of the writer, choose NO if the statement contradicts the claims of the writer, or NOT GIVEN if it is impossible to say what the writer thinks about this.

27. The writer changed her mind about spending time in Tasmania.

28. Andrew Bain believes that the effect MONA had on Hobart was immediate.29. Other factors have contributed as much as MONA to Hobart’s transformation.30. MONA’s popularity has helped support the whole tourism industry in Tasmania.31. Most tourists now spend a week in Tasmania to explore beyond Hobart.32. The Queen Victoria Museum’s restoration is part of the official strategy to package MONA with other galleries.

Questions 33–37

Reading Passage 3 has five paragraphs, A–E. Which paragraph contains the following

information?

33. a reference to the potential negative impact of MONA’s success34. an explanation of why the writer now feels differently about returning home35. a description of how MONA displays its collection36. a concern about the duration of tourist visits37. a quote from a journalist about Hobart’s transformation

Questions 38–40

Complete the sentences below. Choose NO MORE THAN TWO WORDS from the passage for each answer.

38. Before MONA opened, it was already receiving attention from national press and __________.39. The local newspaper expressed concern that tourists are only making __________ in Hobart.40. It is hoped that a coordinated __________ will encourage visitors to stay longer and explore more of Tasmania.

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