Ten Days on the Island says goodbye to chief executive Jane Haley

Jane Haley has led the festival for six years and had a career in the arts that has spanned for 40 years.

During her career she has led several of Australia's arts organisations including the Australia Business Arts Foundation, Arts Access, the Queensland Theatre Company, the Arts Council of Australia, and Sidetrack Theatre.

She has also worked in senior executive roles in government. However, Ten Days on the Island holds a special place in Ms Haley's heart.

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The chief executive returned to Tasmania in 2014, and though initially worked with the University of Tasmania, was lured to the festival and took on the coveted role in 2015.

Ten Days on the Island has seem some monumental changes under Ms Haley's tenure, including rebuilding relationships with government, relocating from Hobart to Burnie, recruiting Lindy Hume as artistic director, COVID-19, and the change to the three weekend model for the festival.

Ms Haley said leaving had been on her mind for awhile, wanting to give the next chief executive the time to settle in before the 2023 festival.

"There's lots of sadness, especially because already we are planning festival 2023," she said. "But also for me, a little bit of 'hey, a new adventure'."

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A PhD and more board positions could be on the cards for the woman who has spent much of her career dedicated to the arts.

"I have got a fair amount of accumulated wisdom to share," she said.

Chair Craig Perkins said Ms Haley had been dedicated to her career in the arts and was well respected.

"She leaves an extraordinary legacy for Ten Days on the Island and we thank her for the outstanding contribution she has made to Tasmania's unique statewide international arts festival," he said.

"She has overseen a great period of evolution for the organisation and has built a strong and capable team ... the search for her successor will begin as we look towards a new era for Ten Days."

However, Ms Haley still recognised what she would like to see for the future of the festival.

"I am hoping Ten Days will be able to build on its twin commitments to investing in Tasmanian artists and bringing quality international arts to people all over Tasmania," she said.

She also hoped the festival would continue to include and build relationships with Aboriginal artists and organisations.

The board will appoint the new chief executive in October.