Lost for words? Try Words With Melbourne!

Deakin University's Arts Participation Incubator (API) is calling on Melburnians who have something to say to join them on Federation Square's main stage on Thursday 3 October at 7pm.

Words with Melbourne is a participatory event where people can use hundreds of word blocks to write poetry, random nonsense, create and share favourite quotes, or announce their love to the world… on a grand scale! Quotes will be captured on Instagram to create a stream of statements from our city.

Incubator spokesperson, Magda Pakulski said the event would start on Thursday 3 October at 7pm until 8pm and continue on Friday and Saturday, 4 and 5 October at the same time.

Ms Pakulski said the word fest was conceived by social practice artist Lenine Bourke as a fun way for people to have their say, and join a conversation with their city.

Words With Melbourne is preceded by a panel discussion about the role of cultural festivals featuring Global Ambassador for Burning Man USA, Bear Kittay, Leigh Carmichael from Dark Mofo (Tasmania), Jess Scully from Vivid Ideas (New South Wales), and Emily Sexton from Next Wave (Victoria).

API Director, Dr Hilary Glow said traditionally the festival model has been that the creative director goes overseas to find acts that they think would be good for their festival.

"This is known as the shopping trolley approach to festival programming," she said.

"However, lately the question has been asked: how can festivals provide a platform for the creativity of communities? How can we promote the creativity that is going on in our communities?"

Dr Glow said where festivals have embraced their audience's creativity, the results have often been amazing.

"Burning Man is the largest outdoor arts, music and everything else festival in North America and takes place for one week in the Black Rock desert of Nevada," Dr Glow explained.

"It is renowned for its creativity, freedom of expression and experimentation and the fact that its form is determined by its participants, and this year the number of participants reached 70,000."