Melbourne International Arts Festival Melbourne International Arts Festival is one of Australia's leading international arts festivals and has an outstanding reputation for presenting unique international and Australian events in the fields of dance, theatre, music, visual arts, multimedia, free and outdoor events over 17 days each October. First staged in 1986 under the direction of composer Gian Carlo Menotti it became the third in the Spoleto Festival series -- joining Spoleto, Italy, and Charleston, United States. Melbourne's Spoleto Festival changed its name to the Melbourne International Festival of the Arts in 1990. In 2003, the Festival was renamed Melbourne International Arts Festival. The Artistic Director for 2009 - 2010 is Brett Sheehy, and the festival will be held from 9 to 25 October 2009. festival name : Melbourne International Arts Festival country : Australia city : Melbourne venue : the Arts Centre, Playhouse, etc. period : 2009.10.9 -> 2009.10.24 URL : http://www.melbournefestival.com.au/