FRINGE FORWARD
Sector Leadership in ActionMore than a Festival.
Every October, Melbourne Fringe transforms the city into a playground for independent art. But behind the three-week explosion of shows, there's a quieter, year-round force shaping the future of the arts in Victoria. It's called Fringe Forward.
"Fringe Forward is how we describe Melbourne Fringe's year-round sector leadership work," says Simon Abrahams, Creative Director & CEO of Melbourne Fringe. "It's all the ways we support the artists in the Festival, and how we're building a stronger, more sustainable independent arts sector more broadly."
Artist development: how we help artists thrive.
The work begins well before the spotlight turns on.
"A three-week festival doesn't appear out of nowhere," says Simon. "We build a festival out of a broader arts landscape. We see part of our job is to nurture that landscape — support it, advocate for it, and help artists thrive within it." That starts with artist development.
Melbourne Fringe supports artists at every stage of their practice. "We help artists find a venue, we ru drop-in sessions, workshops and panel talks. We cover budgeting, marketing, mental health, access — we look at the whole ecosystem of what it means to make and present work as an independent artist."
This tailored approach is crucial in a festival where the majority of the work is self-produced. "The skills it takes to produce a show are totally different from the skills it takes to create one," Simon explains.
“So a huge part of what we do is upskilling artists on the producing side, so they’re set up to succeed.”
That includes one-on-one support and practical resources. The Fringe Resource Hub, available online year-round, is packed with tools: budget templates, grant-writing guides, marketing advice, access planning, sustainability how-tos. No paywall, no log-ins, no fluff, just genuinely useful materials, curated for the realities of independent practice.
But just as important is the social side.
“Being an independent artist can be incredibly isolating,” Simon says. “We focus a lot on building community, creating space for artists to connect, support each other and learn from each other. Whether that’s through working bees, parties, panels or simply having someone to talk to, we’re here.”
Tour Ready and Fringe Marketplace: taking work on the road.
While the Festival is often a starting point for a new work, Fringe Forward is designed to help artists go further.
“Our Tour Ready program connects artists with presenters and festival directors from across Australia and beyond,” says Simon. “We help them learn how to pitch their work, navigate touring pathways, and meet the people who can help take their work further through touring.”
Fringe staff act as informal matchmakers, building tailored schedules for programmers and connecting them directly with artists whose work aligns with their program. “We do a lot of behind-the-scenes matchmaking,” Simon says. “We know who’s coming to the Festival and what they’re looking for, and we help make those connections happen.”
The goal is simple: to extend the life of a show, and help artists generate income from their work. Some shows tour across Victoria. Others hit national and international circuits. But the approach is always artist-first.
In 2025, Melbourne Fringe is expanding this work through Fringe Marketplace, a new program designed to build artists’ capacity and industry knowledge. Presented in collaboration with Arts Centre Melbourne, Marketplace features free, high-impact sessions covering everything from pitching to presenters, to building a sustainable touring model, to navigating life beyond the fringe circuit.
“Marketplace is about giving artists practical, inside knowledge from the people who’ve done it before,” Simon says. “It’s not just about inspiration, it’s about equipping people with the tools to take their work further.”
Fringe Awards program: celebrating risk, talent and ambition
Melbourne Fringe’s awards program is one of the most comprehensive of any open-access festival in Australia.
“I’m really proud of our awards program,” says Simon. “It’s got real integrity. Every eligible show is seen by two industry judges and assessed and discussed against clear criteria. That means the process is fair, transparent, and often surprising.”
The program recognises excellence across a range of categories, but also focuses heavily on career development. In addition to Best In Category awards, there are Artist Development Awards, which pair artists with mentorships, cash support, and future opportunities through partnerships with leading arts organisations. There are also Touring Awards, which offer direct presentation opportunities at partner festivals and venues across the country and the world.
And then there are the Judges’ Picks, in-Festival accolades that highlight standout work mid-season and help generate buzz while shows are still running. “They’re a great way for audiences to know what’s catching the attention of the industry,” Simon says. Each year also sees the presentation of the Living Legend Award, honouring a Fringe alum whose work has made a lasting impact on the independent arts.
Advocacy: the work you don’t always see
Beyond the programs and parties, Fringe Forward is also about advocacy, speaking up for the value of independent art – and the artists who make it.
“We believe in the power of independent artists,” Simon says. “We believe art matters. And we talk to anyone who’ll listen – government, philanthropists, media, presenters, audiences — about why this work matters, and what needs to change.”
This includes advocating for better working conditions, more sustainable funding models, and systemic reforms to how artists are resourced and recognised. Programs like Access Fringe and Deadly Fringe are central to this work. “They embed access, equity and cultural leadership into the heart of how we operate, not just what we produce.”
“Artists are doing extraordinary things, often under impossible conditions,” Simon says. “They need more than applause. They need systems that back them.”
Through Fringe Forward, Melbourne Fringe is working to build and strengthen those systems – and make sure the future of independent art is braver, fairer, and full of possibility.
