In a nutshell, anyone can be in the Melbourne Fringe Festival - the Festival is an open access festival.

Here's what you need to do to be involved (apart from having an event!):

1. Confirm a Venue

Venue option A:
You can apply to be programmed into a venue at the Festival Hub in North Melbourne.

Expressions of Interest for the 2008 Festival Hub program open 21 April and close 9 May.

Venue option B:
Source your own venue. Melbourne Fringe has collated a list of potential venues, which is a great place to start. Of course you can source a venue anywhere; it does not have to be from this list. Don't hesitate to contact Melbourne Fringe for advice on which venues to approach for your event. Click here for the 2008 list of potential venues.

Please note that the relationship with the venue is between artist / producer and the venue, not Melbourne Fringe. It is highly recommended that you get confirmation of your agreement from your venue in writing. Download a sample contract here (this is provided as a guide only to help confirm your venue relationship). There are many resources available to artists searching for a suitable venue, one useful website is Creative Spaces.

2. Register online

Registrations open 26 May and close 13 June.

Login using your e-mail address and choose a password. If you have registered in previous Festivals your login details have expired and you will need to re-register. Use your Login to complete the Registration, which can be saved and updated and edited until the Registration deadline in mid-June, 2008.

3. Sign the Participant's Agreement

The Participant's Agreement will be available to download during the on-line Registration process.

4. Payment

In 2008 the Artist Registration fees will be:

Free events: $200
One-off (i.e. 1 date) ticketed events: $200
Ticketed Events: $280

Find out what you get for your Registration Fee

Late registrations and refunds:

Registrations received after the closing date may be accepted at the discretion of Melbourne Fringe. However, a late fee of $5 per day will apply.

2008 registration fees are refundable in full until Friday 11 July. After this date no refunds will be available. Withdrawal from the Festival must be submitted in writing by the registering artist/producer.

How to pay:

By Post - Send a cheque or money order (made out to Melbourne Fringe) to Melbourne Fringe, PO Box 21278, Little Lonsdale St VIC 8011.

In Person - cash, cheque or money order (made payable to Melbourne Fringe) at level 2, 225 Bourke St, Melbourne.

6. Registration Verification

It is strongly recommended that you visit the Melbourne Fringe office with your image, payment and signed Participants Agreement. This will enable a member of the registration team to go through your event one-on-one with you and give you the opportunity to address any questions or concerns you may have (and also gives us the opportunity to meet you!)

Appointments are not necessary, just come in. However, close to the deadline you will experience a wait of up to one hour, so get in early!

If you are registering from overseas or interstate your registration can be verified over the phone. Please allow approximately 15 minutes for this process.

Further Information:
It's a great idea to search the 2007 Festival website for ideas regarding images, prices, blurb styles etc. Remember, the ticketing links are no longer active.

If you need assistance with your registration or have any questions about the process or the Festival in general, please call 03 9660 9600 or e-mail info@melbournefringe.com.au for assistance.

Images from top: Melbourne Breaks (05), Rema Grace Hidchiti (06), Spontaneous Construction (04), Intrusion (07), The League of Sideshow Superstars (07).