Mudfest

21-28 August 2019 

About Mudfest:

 Presented every two years by the UMSU Creative Arts Department, Mudfest is the largest student run festival in the southern hemisphere. Mudfest has become a significant driving-force of creative power and since its inception in 1990 has established itself as a cultural icon on the emerging arts scene in Melbourne.

Mudfest has grown to encompass all forms of artistic expression including visual art, performing arts, film, music and interdisciplinary artforms. Mudfest nurtures, encourages and supports new and innovative arts practice amongst students, while also providing them with professional and creative development opportunities.

This year Mudfest will revolve around the theme ‘Regeneration’. This stems from the dire need for fundamental change within the frightening reality of our world. “Necessity is the mother of invention”, and the challenges we currently face as a global society provide the impetus for change and regeneration. This year’s festival contemplates the idea that regeneration is necessary in times of need and always to allow us to flourish.  We must change and evolve to ultimately thrive. In Mudfest 2019 we provide the fertile soils to allow our artists to rediscover and push boundaries. We support emerging artists to develop and blossom in their practice as they grow and learn, producing new original work in response to their reality. Mudfest 2019 is about growth in all its many facets, artistically, professionally and as a community.

Mudfest provides students with the unique opportunity to be a part of a festival environment that encourages cross-pollination with other disciplines and approaches, as well as fostering an environment of inclusion, sustainability and development. In 2019 Mudfest will maintain the initiative of showcasing works that are environmentally sustainable and accessible to people living with disability, encouraging artists to share their work in an inclusive and ethical environment.

There are over 50 events at Mudfest. Below are a few of the larger events—look at our full program here, or download it here!

Mudfest Production Team

In 2019 the Mudfest Production Team consists of:

Co-Artistic Directors: Ellie Hamill and Lucy Holz

Mudfest Mentor: Stephanie Spiers

Production Manager: Bronya Doyle

Deputy Production Managers: Nicholas Kirkby and Andrea Figueroa

Marketing & Publicity Manager: Ashleigh Barraclough

Website & Ticketing Coordinator: Julian Bagnara

Access Manager: Sophie Cassar

Sustainability Manager: Callum Simpson

Music Creative Producer: Alexander Pavey

Moving Image Creative Producer: Harry Goodlet

Visual Arts Creative Producer: Clare Ellison Jakes

Performing Arts Creative Producer: Lachlan Bagnara

Interdisciplinary Creative Producer: Ann-Marie Biagoni

Front of House Manager: Mabrur Rahman

Volunteer Manager: Angie Hiscock

Events Manager: Akshay Raja

Access Information for Artists

Also please find below an Access document prepared by our Mudfest Access Manager, Sophie Cassar, which was read out at the Artist Information Session.

Access Information for Artists