Program Manager (Deadly Fringe)

Melbourne Fringe seeks an exceptional arts worker to lead Deadly Fringe, platforming bold work and building pathways for First Nations artists.

Deadly Fringe is where First Nations art and creativity takes centre stage.

Launched in 2017 with a bold vision, Melbourne Fringe’s Deadly Fringe program has spent nearly a decade commissioning and platforming extraordinary work by First Nations artists and producers, from theatre to comedy, contemporary dance to fashion, textile design to visual art. It supports artists at every stage of their practice: emerging voices finding their feet, and established and mid-career artists making some of the most significant work of their careers.

Now a nationally significant platform, Deadly Fringe has backed dozens of artists whose work has toured the country, won awards, and helped build the future of the arts, one extraordianry First Nations-led project at a time. Standout works like Joel Bray’s biladurang, Sandy Greenwood’s Matriarch, and Declan Furber Gillick’s Bighouse Dreaming began here. The person in this role will help shape where Deadly Fringe goes next.

About the role

As Program Manager, you’ll lead the planning and delivery of First Nations works across Melbourne Fringe Festival’s Curated and Open Access programs, commissioning new works, overseeing Fringe Fund recipients, and coordinating mentorships and development pathways for First Nations artists.

Deadly Fringe is artist-led and flexible by design, meaning projects are shaped by what artists need, when they’re ready, and how they want to work. You’ll strengthen relationships with artists, producers, communities, cultural institutions and industry partners, contribute to the strategic evolution of the program, and help build internal infrastructure that the whole Melbourne Fringe organisation can draw on.

The role sits within the Programs & Projects team and reports to the Senior Producer (Curated Program), working closely with the Head of Programs & Projects and Creative Director & CEO on strategy and program design.

About you

You have demonstrated experience in events or program management, preferably in an arts or festival context, a strong working knowledge of the independent arts sector, and highly developed interpersonal skills. You bring strong project management, planning and problem-solving skills, creative thinking and resourcefulness, and experience achieving results on limited budgets.

Melbourne Fringe is committed to skills development, mentoring and on-the-job growth. If you don’t yet tick every box, we still want to hear from you.

This position is open only to individuals who identify as Aboriginal and or Torres Strait Islanders. 

About Melbourne FringeMelbourne Fringe democratises the arts. Our vision is cultural democracy – empowering anyone to realise their right to creative expression. We support the development and presentation of artworks by, with and for Melbourne’s people, running the annual Melbourne Fringe Festival, the year-round venue Fringe Common Rooms at Trades Hall, and a range of arts sector leadership programs.We believe that access to the arts and creative expression are fundamental rights of our citizenship and vital to a creative, healthy, cohesive society.

Our Work CultureMelbourne Fringe is a forward-thinking, creative and inclusive organisation. Our dreaming is out of the box, our work ethic is strong, and we don’t let our limited resources stop us from making seemingly impossible things happen. We believe that great work is made by people who enjoy what they do. We are proud to have a diverse workplace that celebrates difference and encourages people to bring their whole selves to work with pride.

Fringe is a values-driven workplace characterised by big-picture thinking, optimism and playfulness. We have a reputation as a hard-working, caring, energetic, fast-paced workplace that values our people and their health, and which brings them together socially for lunch, events and funtimes.

You’re the right fit for Melbourne Fringe if you are:

• Passionate about creativity and cultural equity
• Willing to support anyone to participate in the arts, regardless oftheir experience, age, gender, ability, sexuality, cultural backgroundor artistic practice
• Excited by the challenge of making ambitious things happen onlimited budgets
• Ready for personal and professional learning and continualimprovement
• Into a collaborative and social work culture

For more information about the role, working at Melbourne Fringe and to apply, please visit:

https://www.melbournefringe.com.au/about-us/jobs-and-volunteers