MELBOURNE’S
FESTIVAL
THE MELBOURNE FESTIVAL IS ONE
OF THE WORLD’S MOST RESPECTED
AND ACCLAIMED ANNUAL ARTS
EVENTS. HERALDED FOR ITS GLOBAL
REACH, ITS WHOLEHEARTED
SUPPORT OF INTERNATIONAL AND
AUSTRALIAN ARTISTS, AND ITS
ABILITY TO CONNECT COMMUNITY
AND CULTURE, THE MELBOURNE
FESTIVAL EACH OCTOBER PROUDLY
PROMOTES THE WORK OF MORE
THAN 1000 ARTISTS TO MORE THAN
ONE MILLION PEOPLE.
For 27 years the Festival has consistently
evolved to stimulate the Australian arts
scene. At the core of our philosophy is
our ambition to bring internationallyacclaimed artists to Melbourne and expose
local audiences to their work. But we also
depend on the talent and creativity of local
arts practitioners to fuel our Festival. It
is their enthusiasm and willingness to
share ideas, create diverse work, stimulate
debate, enthral, educate and engage that
inspires our audiences and we are grateful.
Melbourne Festival significantly
contributes to the culture of Melbourne,
Victoria, and Australia. It presents a range
of free and ticketed events for people of all
ages, backgrounds, and arts interests. The
Festival is greatly admired by artists and
cultural organisations around the world,
and each year it continues to strengthen
its position as it builds stakeholder, private
philanthropic and corporate support,
increases audience numbers, expands the
artistic program, grows its box office , and
attracts attention.
The Festival organisation is led jointly
by the Executive Director and Artistic
Director, each of whom reports directly to
the Melbourne Festival Board of Directors.
There are 25 full-time permanent staff
working across the five core departments,
with up to 80 additional staff contracted
across various supporting roles throughout
the year.
Melbourne Festival establishes Melbourne
as a city with a vibrant, sophisticated,
diverse and constantly expanding cultural
life. As the shimmering backdrop to 17
days of joyful music, visual and performing
arts performance, our city is on show and
positions Victo ria as an important cultural
destination for international and interstate
artists, directors, audience and the media
all of whom descend on our city for this
annual celebration. Melbourne Festival is
an essential piece of Australia’s cultural
calendar; residing between the AFL Grand
Final and Melbourne’s Spring Racing
Carnival, it provides considerable economic
impact and long term artistic influence and
inspiration for all its stakeholders.
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