In a world first, Melbourne Fringe has announced Open Book, a program in partnership with Melbourne UNESCO City of Literature Office.
The Open Book program provides free Fringe registration for selected artistes with fresh ideas for new Festival projects that cast a new light on Melbourne and its relationship with literature. All kinds of artistes are encouraged to apply, particularly those interested or working in the literary arts.
Open Book supports the creation of a new event genre for the festival – ‘Words and Ideas’. This new genre makes a clear space in the festival for literary arts practitioners, curators and artists presenting hybrid events that revolve around the word – either spoken or written.
“We know Melbourne’s most innovative artists will come to Fringe and think about the City of Literature in ways we could never expect,” said Simon Abrahams, Creative Director and CEO of Melbourne Fringe.
“Fringe artistes think outside the box better than anyone else, and I know we’ll see that with our partnership with the City of Literature Office,” he adds.
Melbourne Fringe’s open-access ethos means all artistes wishing to extend or celebrate their craft can forge opportunities and find new audiences for their work in the festival, including literary artists.
Melbourne joined the UNESCO Creative Cities Network in 2008 as Australia’s first and only City of Literature, and the second in the world, in an acknowledgment of the breadth, depth and vibrancy of the city’s literary culture. Melbourne Fringe now further contributes to our city’s enviable literary-loving culture through the Open Book program.
The Melbourne Fringe Festival, Victoria’s most vibrant independent arts showcase, this year invites artistes from all disciplines to step into the light. Melbourne Fringe will take over the city from 15 September – 2 October to illuminate different perspectives, searchlight new artists, spotlight artistic innovation, shed light on new ideas, and focus our city spaces so we see them anew.
BOX: Open Book Timeline
Expressions of Interest Open: 29 Feb
Expressions of Interest Close: 29 March
Selection process: March 30 – April 3
Successful projects notified: April 4
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