We are always excited when we publish Island, but perhaps even more so with this next issue. After being unsuccessful in achieving a renewal of multi-year grant funding from Arts Tasmania, it seemed unlikely that the magazine would survive 2019, let alone 2020. But due to an anonymous private benefactor, a matched once-only government grant and some individual donors, we were able to start work on the 2020 publishing schedule (albeit reduced to two issues instead of the normal four). The global pandemic has certainly added some extra challenges, but here we are, about to publish issue 159, the first of our two 2020 issues!

We are delighted to announce that we have finalised the structure of our editor team for 2020.

The future of Island remains very uncertain. Following our unsuccessful application for multi-year funding in the most recent round, at the invitation of Arts Tasmania we have met to identify options for the magazine. These discussions are ongoing, but Arts Tasmania has ruled out the provision of an ad hoc grant.

From the Island team, a heartfelt thanks to all those who have expressed their support, following the announcement that we were unsuccessful in the current Arts Tasmania funding round.

On Friday 6 September, as we prepared to send the 158th issue of Island magazine to the printer, we learned of our failure to win a renewal of our four-year funding arrangement with Arts Tasmania. Until now, that support has underpinned the magazine’s financial viability. By the time a very impressive Issue 158 appears, from 30 September, we anticipate having a clearer understanding about the implications of our failure to win a renewal.

The Plus Ones is usually telling you where to go and what to see and do, but this time they are giving you some recommendations on what to read, specifically where to find new and upcoming writers, and we’re delighted to be part of their selection. To find out more islandmag.com