Twenty-two arts organisations have received funding from the program, applications for which are by invitation only.

Launceston dance company Tasdance was one of the biggest winners, receiving $1 million between 2016 and 2019, while fellow dance company Stompin was allocated $89,000 over the same period.

Theatre North will receive $600,000 over the next four years, and Terrapin Puppet Theatre Ltd $700,00.

Perhaps the most glaring omission in the program was the absence of any funding to the music sector.

Music Tasmania chief executive Laura Harper said the announcement was a crippling blow for Tasmanian musicians.

‘‘Music Tasmania did not receive funding in this grant round and will struggle to continue representing the needs of our talented musicians,’’ she said.

‘‘It would seem that contemporary music is still not treated as a legitimate art form by funding bodies in relation to other classical art forms, such as dance and theatre.’’

Mrs Harper pointed to recent studies at the University of Tasmania, which showed that live music in Australia returns a 3:1 benefit-to-cost ratio, and said many talented musicians were leaving the state due to lack of opportunities.

‘‘Music plays an important role in Tasmania’s creative economy but at the moment is not taken seriously as an industry or an economic producer by government.’’