What is MONA FOMA?
MONA FOMA is a summer music and arts festival in Tasmania, created by the Museum of Old and New Art. Its name stands for Museum of Old and New Art: Festival of Music and Art, and it has been held in Hobart and Launceston.
The festival was founded in 2009 by MONA owner David Walsh and curated for many years by Brian Ritchie, the bass player of the American band Violent Femmes, who lives in Tasmania.
MONA FOMA presents experimental music, contemporary art, performance and installations. The program mixes international stars with local artists and is known for being adventurous and unpredictable.
Summer in Tasmania
The festival is held in January, during the Tasmanian summer. Events take place at MONA, in city venues and in unusual outdoor spaces.
From 2019, much of the festival moved to Launceston for several years, bringing large crowds and cultural activity to northern Tasmania. Over the years, the festival has been staged in both cities.
MONA FOMA complements Dark Mofo, the winter festival also run by MONA. Together they have helped make Tasmania a major destination for arts tourism.
Did You Know?
Locals often call the festival Mofo.