ABOUT US
Melbourne Fringe develops, champions and
celebrates the independent arts. We work
year-round to provide artists with the tools to
create, present and promote their work, building
a vibrant community of audiences and artists
devoted to artistic discovery.
Through our core values of participation,
collaboration, creativity and integrity, Melbourne
Fringe provides opportunities to collaborate
through our open-access independent arts
program, our curated spaces at the Festival Hub
and Festival Club, and our creative program.
Throughout the year, our artist development
program supports festival participants as well as
independent artists at all stages of their career.
We provide context so that risks can be taken.
We make meaning through our commissioned
artworks. We democratise art-making through
open-access opportunities. We make lots of
noise. We celebrate independence, artistic
expression and bravery. We enable discovery.
LOOK BETWEEN
THE LINES
The 2015
Melbourne Fringe
Festival was
the biggest in
Melbourne Fringe
history – again.
We sure like a party here at Melbourne Fringe, but
don’t let that fool you. Beneath the bubbles and the
glitter, the coloured tape and the giant inflatable
love hearts, a lot of important work is happening
which grows and strengthens the arts sector.
In 2015, federal arts funding shenanigans have
shaken independent artists to the core. Melbourne
Fringe works to advocate, develop and celebrate
the work of these artists because they are the
innovators who put themselves on the line every
day because artistic expression is key to who they
are. And because it’s worth fighting for.
And that brings me to the 2015 Melbourne Fringe
Festival in which we invited audiences to look
between the lines. It’s something politicians need
to do more often. We all do. At Melbourne Fringe,
we make it our business to seek out the unknown,
to look in the margins, to find out new things and
to bring them to the surface so you can make
new discoveries.
And that you did. In record numbers. The 2015
Melbourne Fringe Festival was the biggest in
Melbourne Fringe history – again.
We received our city’s highest accolade when
we were recognised as the 2015 Melbourne
Awards winner for our work in contributing to the
profile of Melbourne by a community organisation.
We are thrilled, chuffed, overwhelmed. Thank you
Melbourne.
Thanks – as ever – to our amazing partners and
supporters, including the Victorian Government
through Creative Victoria, the City of Melbourne,
Bank Australia, our corporate partners and our
individual donors who all help us fight the good fight.
Melbourne Fringe helps you to peel back the layers,
peer around the corners and discover something
new. Thanks, for taking the plunge.
Simon Abrahams
Creative Director and CEO
Melbourne Fringe Festival 2015 Festival Report
3