The COLLECT Art Purchase Scheme has empowered countless artists to earn a living from their creative pursuits instead of resorting to waiting tables or taking on unrelated work. COLLECT has been instrumental in providing a more a stable income for artists across Tasmania, allowing them to focus on their craft and contribute significantly to our vibrant cultural life. 

Now the ABC reports,  it is under threat: https://www.abc.net.au/news/2026-10-08/art-loan-scheme-in-doubt-amid-tasmanian-cost-cutting/107238918

The creative economy is a vital part of Tasmania's identity and economic fabric. According to the Tasmanian Government's own data, the arts and creative sector contributed over $500 million to the state's economy in recent years. The COLLECT Art Purchase Scheme played a crucial role in this success, fostering a thriving environment for artists and arts businesses. It enabled galleries to sell artworks to the public through interest-free loans, making art more accessible to enthusiasts while providing artists with fair compensation for their work.

COLLECT is not a grant program - it is a LOAN scheme, i.e. all the funds are repaid to the government. Program charges partly cover the admin costs.  Ceasing the program creates no substantial savings to the state budget and creates economic decline in a sector the government claims to support.

We urge the Tasmanian Government to retain the COLLECT Art Purchase Scheme to demonstrate a strong commitment to promoting Tasmania’s rich cultural landscape and ensuring a sustainable future for its artists and creative businesses.

Please sign this petition to show the Tasmanian Government the importance of continuing to support the COLLECT Art Purchase Scheme. Your support can make a real difference in preserving the integrity and growth of our artistic community.