Northern Territory Major Events Company
The Bruce Munro: Tropical Light exhibition in Darwin has ended early due to precautions around COVID-19. The exhibition, which was due to run until 30 April 2020, has ended today. The lights will not be turned on tonight.
Tropical Light was created to encourage more people to visit the Territory during the Tropical Summer. Since it opened on 1 November 2019, the exhibition has attracted more than 46,219 attendances and more than 5,600 people have downloaded the Tropical Light app.
The safety of event attendees, volunteers and staff is our priority. The decision to close early was made based in the interests of public safety and following the latest health advice, which encourages people to do their bit to slow the spread of COVID-19 by practising social distancing.
As a result of the early closure of the exhibition, the research into the benefits it brought to the Territory will be revised, with the impacts from bushfires and COVID-19 taken into consideration. Early indications suggest Bruce Munro: Tropical Light was successful in changing people’s perceptions of Darwin during the Tropical Summer.
The Northern Territory Government will continue to look for future opportunities around how to build on this and further activate the Top End during the traditionally quieter season, to increase interstate and international visitation, as well as the liveability of the Territory for Territorians.
As stated by Northern Territory Major Events Company CEO Tim Watsford:
“For five months Bruce Munro: Tropical Light has illuminated the Darwin CBD, providing more reasons for people to visit the city.
“We’ve seen local artists gain exposure by having their work included in the exhibition, and businesses jump on board by creating Tropical Light-themed products. We’ve had people from all over Australia and the world come to look at the eight illuminated sculptures.
“Closing the exhibition is the right thing to do in light of the most up-to-date health advice, but we thank our volunteers, artists, tourism operators, visitors and Territorians for supporting this world-first exhibition in Darwin.
“You have done an incredible job and Tropical Light would not have been possible without you. We are proud of our talented local artists, our business sector’s Tropical Light initiatives, and our volunteers’ community spirit. Thank you all.”
