About Us

The Salamanca Arts Centre (SAC) is a not-for-profit Arts Centre housed in buildings owned by the Government of Tasmania and leased to SAC at 'peppercorn' rental. More than 70 arts related organisations and individual artists are based at SAC, and SAC manages performing and visual arts spaces (Venues) within the seven heritage warehouse buildings. SAC has one artist and projects residency cottage.

SAC is managed by a Board of nine elected, appointed, and co-opted Board Directors.

Our Mission

Salamanca Arts Centre's mission is to develop and promote the arts in Tasmania through leadership, inspiration, creativity and excellence in arts development, programs and facilities.

Our objectives

Salamanca Arts Centre was founded in 1976 as a community and arts centre. Since then, SAC has evolved as a contemporary arts centre and creative hub.

Salamanca Arts Centre's priority is to support the contemporary expression of the arts.

SAC's objectives are:

• To develop in Tasmania a greater knowledge, understanding and practice of the arts.
• To increase the accessibility of the arts to the public of Tasmania.
• To promote community involvement in the practice of the arts.
• To provide cooperation between practitioners of the arts.
• To provide exhibitions of works of art.
• To provide teaching.
• To advise and cooperate with institutions, government departments, social authorities and other bodies on any matters concerned directly or indirectly with these objectives.

The Centre operates as part of a long-term, visionary partnership between Salamanca Arts Centre, the Tasmanian State Government and the Hobart City Council. SAC receives annual arts program funds from Arts Tasmania and Hobart City Council, with project support from the Australia Council for the Arts, philanthropic trusts and project partners.

SAC's major projects are supported by sponsors and the community. In January 2009 SAC established MONA FOMA, a new cutting edge festival of music and art for Hobart developed by Salamanca Arts Centre, and Artistic Director Brian Ritchie in partnership with MONA and the Tasmanian State Government.

Other partners include Ten Days On The Island (Dream Masons, Chance Encounters, An Other Place, Haven, Response To The Island), CAST, The Taste Festival, Roar Film (The Tank), Wide Angle Tasmania, Festival of Voices Tasmania, UTAS School of Art, UTAS Conservatorium of Music, and Tasmanian Polytechnic.

SAC's annual buildings operating income derives from residency income from retail, office and studio spaces rented to arts-based businesses, not-for-profit organisations, artists in studios, and from hiring out the Peacock Theatre and Long Gallery for community access use.