www.australianmusicfestivals.comFestival Information.http://www.australianmusicfestivals.com/img/festival/fringe.jpghttp://www.australianmusicfestivals.com/festival/86.htmlMelbourne Fringe is the leading organisation for the independent arts in Victoria. As a vital resource to independent artists, Melbourne Fringe is constantly evolving to meet the current needs of this community and to provide the best possible support, professional development, advocacy and presentation opportunities. Melbourne Fringe gives both emerging and established artists opportunities to gain diverse professional skills and present new, provocative work. Through year-round meetings, individual consultations, forums, workshops, mentor programs, internships, entry-level staff positions and our Awards program, independent artists are able to develop their practice and their production skills. The organisation manages the annual, open access Melbourne Fringe Festival, allowing thousands of artists to present new work to a large and committed audience though our Independent Program. The Festival includes the free Made By Melbourne Fringe program – projects that explore new mediums, engage communities and bring emerging and experienced artists together to create inspiring, sophisticated work. The 2009 Melbourne Fringe Festival presented the work of 4,815 artists at 143 venues across the state, to audiences of 564,039 who contributed to a 42% increase in ticket sales compared with 2008. The Melbourne Fringe program is composed of several key elements, each integral to the whole: ■The Independent Program – our well-known, uncurated, open access component featuring thousands of artists from both within and beyond Melbourne’s thriving independent arts scene; ■The Fringe Hub at North Melbourne – featuring a curated selection of the independent program – as well as the licensed Festival Club – a relaxed socialising and networking space featuring two weeks of nightly entertainment at no cost; ■The Made By Melbourne Fringe program – our self-produced keynote projects, presented free and in public spaces, exploring some of the most extraordinary new ideas within the independent arts sector; ■Projects produced in partnership with other organisations – Digital Fringe with Horse Bazaar, Buzzcuts with Express Media, and for the first time in 2009, the 15/15 Film Festival; ■Our Artists’ and Sector Development Program – featuring our mentorship program OUTSIDE EYE, our forums and Fringe Friday salon sessions, our internship and volunteer program, and the coveted Melbourne Fringe Awards. Plus year-round advice, support and resources.