Forums and Talks

The Artist and Producer Development programs include a series of free talks, forums and salons throughout the year. Sign up to our e-news, for all the info. Our Forum Series for 2012 will kick off around April next year.

What is a Salon?

Salons are relaxed and informative weekly get-togethers which provide artists a rare opportunity to discuss their work in a positive and constructive environment. They’re a lively and intimate space for Melbourne Fringe artists - a space for ideas, feedback, collaboration and networking. It’s also about taking the next step, committing to your artistic process and engaging with the community around you. 

Past Salons

Salon #1: Fringe Furniture - Dancing in the Dark: Small Solutions to Big Problems

Our Salon Series kicked off with a unique opportunity to chat about all things Fringe Furniture.

In Melbourne Fringe’s last year in her 20s, Fringe Furniture designers have the chance to rewrite the agenda – for themselves, for other designers, for the general public and for the future.

Designing to a theme is first of all about defining the theme; the terms of reference; the framework through which the audience and the user will see the work. Dancing in the Dark: Small Solutions to Big Problems challenges designers to find a way forward and in doing so, show us why their solution is better than any other.

Salon #2 – Your practice and your show

A Salon is something like a scene from La Bohème. Not the freezing in an attic or the opera singing part, but the scene where the artists share their daring passion for their creative pursuits. At Salon #2 – Your practice and your show we had a broad discussion and check in about how everything is ticking over. It’s an opportunity for you to take a deep breath and take a step back from your project and reflect, problem solve and network with other Melbourne Fringe Festival participants.

Salon #3 – Green Futures

With the carbon tax debate raging and environmental disasters happening worldwide, there is no better time to come to a salon about the environment and art. There isn’t a quick fix to the problems and dilemmas of climate change, but we can talk about it, share our experiences and see if we can come up with a few new ideas ourselves. We are interested in discussing how we as artists can be part of a greener future. We are asking ourselves: how will sustainability impact on our practices?

Join special guest Jodi Newcombe from Carbon Arts and other Melbourne Fringe artists and producers on the night in a low key and intimate discussion around the arts and climate change.

Salon #4 – Marketing, Publicity and Sponsorship

Need bums on seats for your Melbourne Fringe show? It is easy to get overwhelmed about publicising and marketing your show. In fact it’s one of the most common anxieties plaguing our artists. That’s why we are having an extra special Marketing Salon with Melbourne Fringe’s very own Ella Hinkley, Development Manager, Katherine Lindsey, Partnerships Coordinator and Sean Wilson, Marketing Coordinator. These guys will be sharing their expertise on how to follow through with your marketing plan, even on a shoestring. So if you’ve read over the Producers Pack sections on marketing but it is still giving you headaches, then this is the salon for you.

Salon #5 – Audience and Inspiration

Not all of us have a muse. Inspiration can spring from anything. Where do you get yours? We want to talk about it.

In the formative part of your show, scripts may be being finalised, performers secured, it’s the perfect time to begin thinking about your audience. Who are they? What do you want to share with them? These questions might serve as the perfect antidote in the developmental stages of your show.  

Come join us at our fifth Salon of the year for a drink and a chat about some of the things that make you tick as independent Artists. We'll be downstairs from 6- 6.30pm then head upstairs to the Loft room for an informal discussion for about an hour.

Salon #6 – Tell me all about it

We’re about to launch. Are you ready? Once Fringe goes live, so does your show.

You’re going to start talking about your show to lots of people. This can be daunting and quite a challenge to keep it simple yet intriguing. What’s your elevator pitch? Can you describe your show in under 30 seconds?

With our Festival launch next week, we want to discuss language and dialogue when it comes to promoting your show.  Come join us for our sixth Salon of the year!

Salon #7 Mentoring

 A mentorship is a partnership designed for learning, whereby a more experienced practitioner assists a less established artist in developing their craft. It’s also a chance to share, learn and find out about other people in your networks.

 Melbourne Fringe is the State Delivery Partner for JUMP, the national mentoring program for young and emerging artists. JUMP applications open this year on August 22 and close on Friday, October 28.

 To hear about applying for JUMP or if you’re interested in mentoring in general, please come along for an open discussion about what mentorship can do for you.

Salon #8 Arts Law

There is a fine line between satire and defamation, parody and copyright. Interested in the specifics?

We’re very lucky to have Robyn Ayres from Arts Law joining us for our discussion. Arts Law is the national community legal centre for the arts in Australia. Come and have some one-on-one time with an expert, and find out what your rights are as artists and how you can protect your ideas.

It's also our last Salon for the year, so come along to say goodbye and good luck before the Festival kicks off!

Past Forums

Forum #1 - Fringe First Timers

Haven’t been in the Festival before? Get the low down.

This is our first forum for the year and it’s aimed squarely at the artists, musicians, visual artists, performers, circus performers, comedians and cross-disciplinary artists who haven’t been in our incredible Festival before. This is a forum for artists who have always meant to get involved or just haven’t been able to before. On the night you’ll have the opportunity to hear from the Melbourne Fringe team, hear about our year-round artist development programs, network with other Fringe 1st Timers and see where the Melbourne Fringe will fit into your long term creative practice.

Forum#2 - Venues

Where will your work be shown in this year’s festival?

It’s a daunting task to find the perfect venue. Never fear, the Melbourne Fringe has strategies and insider tips to share about securing the best venue for your festival show. This forum is essential for all 2011 Melbourne Fringe Festival artists, especially those considering being in the Fringe Hub and submitting a Hub EOI. Even if you already have your venue organised this forum will still provide you with invaluable strategies for getting the best from the relationship. We will discuss ways of matching your project with a venue, securing that venue and how to create a strong working relationship with venue managers. The evening will also include unique networking opportunities with select Melbourne venues and Melbourne Fringe staff.

Forum#3 - Your show in 2011   

Get the lowdown on getting your show in this year’s Festival!

Aptly placed right at the beginning of Registrations, this forum is essential so you can get all the answers to those nagging questions. We'll be covering lots of important stuff, like ticketing, budgets, public liability insurance and a little bit of marketing too. It's also a chance to meet the Melbourne Fringe staff and other artists over a pint or two.

Forum#4 - Producing    

Learn lifelong skills about the art of Producing

Every show needs a producer. Whether you are a Producer or an Artist+Producer, this is an important forum for you. On the night we will be going through the ins and outs of producing and what it can entail, as well as doing some actual work on your own show with some nifty worksheets on budgeting and delegating. Come along to meet other festival Producers and Melbourne Fringe staff.  

Forum#5 – Marketing 

An informative evening with tips on marketing, publicity and a media panel

Marketing can be one of the scariest parts of any show. But it really doesn’t have to be. This forum demystifies marketing and the media. You’ll be walked through how to build a marketing plan, your options for marketing on a limited budget and meet our new publicist. There will also be a media panel with journalists from print, online and radio.