Latest Melbourne News

Melbourne International Arts Festival Board is delighted to announce Kristy Edmunds has accepted the position of Artistic Director for the 2008 Melbourne International Arts Festival.
 
Extending Edmunds’ term by 12 months is in line with the Festival’s new strategic plan, recently approved by the Board, whereby all future Artistic Directors will be offered a three-year contract with a one-year option.

Carol Schwartz, President of the Board said “We have been in discussion for some time about the ideal term for Artistic Directors and are of the view that extending a maximum term to four years offers far greater opportunities on many levels.”

The extension will enable Edmunds and future Artistic Directors greater capacity in the development of particular artists, companies and programs. This will also enable greater strategic long term planning in the commissioning of local and international works, which in many cases can take years to develop from concept to performance. Another distinct advantage is for the incumbent Artistic Director to have a more ongoing role in the artistic life of the community in which they work. With significant increases in international relationships, the extension provides far greater continuity with overseas stakeholders.

The extended term is in keeping with European and North American arts organisations and as such provides an attractive proposition in regards to recruiting future Artistic Directors of the calibre sought.  

The reputation of Melbourne International Arts Festival continues to grow as an international presenter of significant leading edge contemporary work and reflects the increasing sophistication of Melbourne as a centre for the arts.

“We are delighted Kristy has agreed to stay on at Melbourne International Arts Festival to continue to build on her extraordinary achievements, not only in programming a Festival that reaches such a diverse audience, but also in her support of the local artistic community”, continued Schwartz.

“Kristy has done more to create opportunities for local and international artists to cooperate and learn from each other than perhaps any other Artistic Director in the history of the Festival. Not only are opportunities created here at the Festival, but also on an international platform as a result of her vast global network.  Kristy has continued to increase the international profile of the Festival, building on the tremendous work of her predecessors. Her acceptance of 2008 is also a very strong signal of her commitment to Melbourne, Victoria and Australia.”
 
With the inclusion of contemporary performing and visual artists of the highest international standard, matched with continuing low-ticket prices, extensive free and regional programs, broad outreach to niche groups, and an access program for people with disabilities that is setting new standards, the Festival is reaching a more diverse audience than ever before. Edmunds’ emphasis on the contemporary genres has also gone a very long way in positioning Melbourne’s innovative and creative identity worldwide.
 
Kristy Edmunds said “It is an honour to accept the privilege of continuing for an additional year with Melbourne International Arts Festival. I am thrilled to have the opportunity to work in collaboration with our new General Manager, Vivia Hickman, as well as Festival staff, the Board, patrons and sponsors to bring to fruition many of our initiatives, and deepening the continuity of Melbourne's relationships with international colleagues and artists. We have been at the forefront of welcoming an increasingly diverse Festival audience and I am particularly keen to strengthen their engagement with the Festival, and the arts community more broadly.
 
The board's long term commitment to securing future Artistic Directors by offering a three year minimum term is a proactive step that strongly aligns MIAF with the changing dynamics of artistic processes not only in Australia but also abroad. What an Artistic Director can manifest over the course of a possible four-year commitment bodes well for Australian artists and the arts ecology as a whole, and will definitely make possible longer-term international relationships and a more diverse programming platform for audiences.
 
Although the job of an Artistic Director is complex and often challenging, it is also a post that demands a real passion for the creative pursuits of artists. What I most look forward to is standing steadfastly alongside new work being created by today's artists, and bringing their work to Australian audiences who demonstrate time and time again how highly engaged Melbourne can be as a creative magnet,” concluded Edmunds.
 
Vivia Hickman said “As the incoming General Manager of the Festival I am thrilled to have the opportunity to work with Kristy over two festivals. The level of dialogue that Kristy has initiated with the local arts community is unprecedented. She engages rigorously and meaningfully with artists and companies: always mindful of how artists' interests, visions and creativity can best be served by the Festival. This sort of cultural leadership is the hallmark of Kristy's style and approach to programming and it positions the Festival not only as a presenter of excellence in terms of artistic work, but as the peak industry development body in this state.”