Welcome
Welcome to the 2019 Melbourne
International Arts Festival.
This leading event showcases
the best local and international
artists from around the globe.
This year—which is packed with
Australian and world premieres—
promises to be no exception.
We’re proud that—for more
than 30 years—the Melbourne
International Arts Festival
has shown just why our city is
Australia’s cultural capital.
And we’re proud that—starting
from next year—it’ll transform
into an even bigger and better
winter festival. This exciting
new event will bring Melbourne
to life during the traditionally
quieter months.
On behalf of our Government,
I hope you enjoy the 2019
Melbourne International Arts
Festival and take advantage of
everything our city and state
have to offer.
The Hon
Daniel Andrews MP
— PREMIER
2
Inspiring performances, boundary
-pushing ideas, and big talent:
leading artists from home and
abroad share their newest
creations at the 2019 Melbourne
International Arts Festival.
You can catch thrilling world
premieres from some of our best
homegrown talent including
Token Armies from dance heroes
Chunky Move, The Shadow
Whose Prey the Hunter Becomes
by Back to Back Theatre and
Anthem, the follow-up to the
seminal theatre work Who’s
Afraid of the Working Class?.
Congratulations to the team on
a fantastic program. From 2020
the Festival will be transforming
and growing as part of the new
blockbuster winter festival—but
great art and great local talent
will always be at its heart.
The Hon
Martin Foley MP
— MINISTER FOR
CREATIVE INDUSTRIES
The City of Melbourne is proud
to be a long-term supporter of
Melbourne International Arts
Festival.
This exciting and celebrated
event is set to enliven our streets
and stages with passion and flair.
I look forward to Tanderrum:
the moving opening ceremony
and Welcome to Country from
the five language groups of the
Eastern Kulin Nation.
This year we welcome back the
iconic 1920s Famous Spiegeltent
to the Arts Centre Melbourne
Forecourt and I invite you to
enjoy international performances
in this superb venue underneath
our iconic spire.
I hope you enjoy this cultural
highlight in one of the world’s
great arts cities.
Sally Capp
— LORD MAYOR