Department of Economic Development, Tourism and the Arts

The Department of Economic Development, Tourism and the Arts (DEDTA) was the Tasmanian Government department tasked with making Tasmania a prosperous, vibrant, and healthy community. The department's core mission was to lead industry and community development, implement marketing and development programs for Tasmanian tourism, and provide policy and planning for the arts and culture sectors.

DEDTA was the initial point of contact for companies wishing to establish, relocate, diversify, or expand in Tasmania. It facilitated connections between government entities and the private sector to market Tasmania's unique attributes, provided funding for events, artists, and arts organizations, supported the upkeep of the state's cultural heritage collections, and promoted opportunities for all Tasmanians to engage in sports, recreation, and physical activities.

On 1 July 2014, DEDTA was merged with the Department of Infrastructure, Energy and Resources, forming the Department of State Growth.

Responsibilities
The department was responsible for:
 * Promoting investment, exports, and job creation.
 * Supporting arts policy, funding advice, and promoting cultural activities.
 * Maximising the contribution of tourism to economic growth.
 * Improving health and wellbeing through sport and recreation initiatives.
 * Advancing Tasmania's science and research capabilities.

Structure
The department was organised into the following organisational groups:
 * Economic Development: Focused on investment and job creation.
 * Arts and Culture: Supported arts policy and cultural activities.
 * Tourism Tasmania: Promoted Tasmania as a tourist destination.
 * Sport and Recreation: Enhanced health and wellbeing through sport.
 * Corporate Support: Ensured good governance and decision-making.

Boards and Committees
The department worked with several boards and committees:
 * Screen Tasmania Board: Provided funding recommendations for the screen industry, through Screen Tasmania.
 * Tasmanian Arts Advisory Board: Offered arts policy and funding advice, through Arts Tasmania.
 * Tasmanian Development Board: Focused on investment and employment creation.
 * Tourism Tasmania Board: Led marketing and development programs for tourism.
 * Tasmanian Museum and Art Gallery Board of Trustees: Managed the Tasmanian Museum and Art Gallery operations.

History
DEDTA was established in September 1998 with the objective to foster economic and cultural growth in Tasmania.

It operated until 1 July 2014, when it was amalgamated with the Department of Infrastructure, Energy and Resources to form the Department of State Growth.

Throughout its existence, DEDTA supported several major initiatives, including the reopening of the Tasmanian Museum and Art Gallery after a $30 million upgrade, supporting the dairy industry, and promoting the state's wine industry through international trade missions.