Tasmania is set for a huge winter boost with the announcement today of a new cultural festival Dark Mofo, to be held in June next year.

The Premier, Lara Giddings, and Minister for Tourism, Scott Bacon, today announced the Tasmanian Government would contribute one-million-dollars a year over three years for the event.

"Dark Mofo will be the cornerstone of a three-month calendar of cultural activities being led by MONA in conjunction with the Festival of Voices and other partners" Ms Giddings said

"This investment will help support jobs in the hospitality sector while providing a much needed economic boost to the broader business community during the traditionally quiet winter period.

"We know from experience that David Walsh and MONA know how to throw a party and draw a crowd and this event will make Tasmania the place to be next winter. 

"Dark Mofo will commence with a spectacular fire and light event at Salamanca, and will include a night market at Princes Wharf 1 drawing on the rich tradition of the Christmas markets in Europe, with warming winter fare and music programmed by Brian Ritchie

"The event will also include a headline musical artist and partnerships with existing events including the Festival of Voices."

The festival will be centred on a major winter exhibition at MONA, which will run for around three months.

"Following the great success of Theatre of the World in collaboration with French curator Jean Hubert Martin and the Tasmanian Museum and Art Gallery, I am delighted that MONA will once again host a major winter exhibition during 2013."

Mr Bacon said funding would be provided from Events Tasmania in recognition of the role such a major event will play in attracting tourists to the state.

"There's no doubt Summer is an exciting time, with Hobart playing host to a range of activities that contribute to a vibrant atmosphere that makes the state an exciting place to visit. But it can still be a challenge getting people from interstate to visit over the Winter months.

"A key part of our Events funding strategy is supporting activities encourage people to head to Tasmania over that quieter period to support local restaurants, hotels and other tourism operators.

"Based on the success of MONA FOMA, Dark MOFO will no doubt prove to be an exciting event for both locals and visitors alike."

David Walsh, creator of MONA, attributes much of his motivation for backing Dark Mofo, to his father.

"My dad once said 'I'll back the winter to beat any tourist business in Hobart'. He was a bit of a punter, but I've been known to have a bet myself, and I'm going to take his wager. I think he would understand why we think this is a race worth rigging," Mr Walsh said.

Ms Giddings also thanked the Hobart and Glenorchy City Councils for their support of Dark Mofo and the many groups and organisations helping to make Dark Mofo a success - Hobart's Theatre Royal, Salamanca Arts Centre, Glenorchy Arts and Sculpture Park (GASP!), Conservatorium of Music at the University of Tasmania, CAST, the Tasmanian Museum and Art Gallery and the Tasmanian Symphony Orchestra. 

"It is exciting to see the organisers of existing and proposed events sharing ideas and working together to create a unique experience.

"This sort of dedication and collaboration within our arts and cultural sector is one of the reasons Tasmania now enjoys a reputation as a thriving cultural destination," Ms Giddings said.

Dark Mofo is scheduled to take place from 14 to 24 June 2013.