Report to the Community 2012 | Page 5

OUR MISSION MELBOURNE FESTIVAL’S MISSION IS TO PRESENT ONE OF THE WORLD’S LEADING ANNUAL, INTERNATIONAL ARTS FESTIVALS, SHOWCASING CONTEMPORARY THEMES TO A BROADLY-BASED AND HIGHLY-ENGAGED AUDIENCE, IN A MAJOR FESTIVAL CONTEXT THAT IS ACCLAIMED AS “MELBOURNE’S OWN”. Each year, the Festival presents an extensive curated program which through both its individual productions and its overall vision: • Offers intelligent engagement with the artists, topography and infrastructure of Melbourne; • Supports and encourages cultural activity in the public domain; • Facilitates and further develops arts practice and the arts community; • Presents the work of major international performing artists and arts companies; • • Reflects the world’s creative innovation; • Provokes enquiry, curiosity and intellectual engagement; Curates a significant visual arts program each year; • Offers many entry points, including: • Exposes audiences to events outside their previous experience and expectation; • local, Australian and international acts; • Engages in debate about the nature and purpose of art and performance; • low and higher cost tickets; • Upholds artistic integrity while striving to support stakeholder expectations and interests; • metropolitan and regional audience engagement; • Anticipates and responds to Australian and international cultural developments; • free and ticketed events; • a range of art-forms; • Offers fun, surprise and entertainment. 5