Minister for Creative Industries Martin Foley joined a team of independent artists today to launch the 2015 Melbourne Fringe Festival program – the largest in the event’s history.
Mr Foley said the 2015 program will feature 401 events and around 6,000 artists performing in 174 venues across Melbourne.
First launched in 1983, the Melbourne Fringe Festival is a three-week major event that showcases the talents of independent emerging artists and companies, alongside established artists who use the festival to experiment with new work or ideas.
As well as some of Australia’s most exciting visual artists, musicians, comedians, dancers and circus performers, the 2015 Fringe program includes works from Canada, China, Ethiopia, Israel, Lithuania, New Zealand, Palestine, Taiwan, USA and the UK.
The program will see events in iconic venues and unexpected spaces, an extensive free program of public events and a dedicated program for children and families that runs throughout the September school holidays.
Mr Foley also announced a new Melbourne Fringe grants program – Ralph McLean Micro-Grants – which aims to support equality and increasing diversity in our independent arts sector.
The program honours the life of the late Ralph McLean, former Chair of Melbourne Fringe and Australia’s first openly gay mayor, and was created after receiving a bequest from Mr McLean’s friends and family.
Melbourne Fringe will provide two grants each year to support Victoria’s diverse independent artists – including artists from LGBTI, non-English speaking, and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander backgrounds – to take part in the festival. The first round of grants will open for applications in early 2016.
The 2015 Melbourne Fringe Festival will open on 16 September and run until 4 October 2015. For full program details, visit
Quotes attributable to Minister for Creative Industries Martin Foley
“Melbourne Fringe is one of Victoria’s most exciting cultural events. It brings together artists and audiences and pioneers new works and ideas.”
“This year’s program is the Festival’s largest ever. It will draw people from across the world and showcase Victoria as our nation’s creative state.”
“Victoria’s creative industries are worth $22.7 billion, employ countless people and are a major drawcard for tourists. They contribute so much to our culture and economy, and we’re supporting events like the Fringe to help our creative industries grow more than ever before.”
Reviewed 19 August 2020