Today (Tuesday 7th March) Edinburgh Festival Fringe Society has launched the ‘Keep it Fringe’ fund, a new initiative to support Fringe artists, which is being led by Fringe Society President Phoebe Waller-Bridge.
This fund, supported by the Fleabag for Charity campaign, and funds donated to the Fringe Society through individual donors and our partnership with Edinburgh Gin, will distribute fifty bursaries of £2,000 which will be awarded to individual artists or companies bringing work to the Fringe in 2023.
The Edinburgh Festival Fringe Society states:
“Not every artist has the same start in their career, but we believe that shouldn’t stop anyone having access to a stage to showcase their talent at the world’s best-loved festival. There is no Fringe without artists; without risk-taking, and without experimentation. Rooted in our vision to give anyone a stage and everyone a seat, the fund sets out to protect artists’ prospects, by removing some of the growing barriers to performing.”
Honorary President Phoebe Waller-Bridge said: ‘For a creative, the festival is one of the most unique places on the planet to launch work, meet other artists and be discovered by audiences, agents, producers and the media. For me, today’s announcement is incredibly personal. Edinburgh Fringe gave Fleabag a game-changing platform for everyone involved and we are thrilled that the show can continue to pay-it-forward to the creatives of tomorrow and contribute to those who might not otherwise have the opportunity to take their work to this amazing festival’.
Shona McCarthy, Chief Executive of the Edinburgh Festival Fringe Society said: ‘We recognise how difficult the last few years have been for the cultural sector, and today’s announcement is a very direct way for us to give some support for artists performing at this year’s Fringe. We are massively grateful to Phoebe, and all our donors, for their generosity and ongoing support of the work of the Fringe Society. This fund is a first step in what we hope to be an ongoing opportunity for Fringe artists. We will be actively encouraging new donors and Fringe alumni to work with us through this simple initiative, to get support out quickly and effectively to give someone a stage’.
This fund is a pilot as part of the Fringe Society’s wider fundraising campaign for the Fringe, and their ambition is to provide direct financial support for Fringe artists every year. The Fringe Society has recognised that these funds won’t make or break a show but should provide a little bit of financial help to those who want to take part in the Fringe.
What is the fund?
The total fund is £100,000, which will be made up of fifty awards of £2,000. These funds are designed to help artists on their Fringe 2023 journey and can be spent on any costs associated with their show. The Fringe Society will award 100% of the fund up front and there will be no end-of-grant reporting required.
Alongside the fund, the Fringe Society is launching a pilot programme with Smarty Grants to help capture long-term insight into the career development of Fringe artists (see more below).
Who is the fund for?
The fund is for individual artists and companies bringing work to the Fringe in 2023. Eligibility Criteria:
- Your show must be registered in the 2023 Fringe (registration will be confirmed before funds are paid, but does not have to be completed when you apply, and you can register anytime up to and during the Fringe);
- Be a UK based performer, or applying on behalf of a UK based performer;
- Be presenting live and in-person performance.
How do artists apply for it?
The Fringe Society anticipates there will be an excess demand for funding which will require assessments to be made. The application will ask the following questions:
- Tell us about your show and what stage you’re at in your plans for Fringe 2023 (200 words)
- What will you spend your £2,000 Fringe 2023 fund on? (200 words)
- Tell us what you hope to achieve in Fringe 2023 and your ambitions for your show (200 words)
The Fringe Society wants everyone to be able to apply and will be running online information sessions to support those who don’t have experience of applying for funding – the application itself will be kept as simple as possible and access support will be available where needed.
Applications open at 12 pm on 10 March 2023 and close at 12 pm on 24 March 2023. Award recipients will be notified around 31 March 2023. Links to apply will be on http://www.edfringe.com.
What are the assessment criteria?
- We want to hear about your show in your own words
- Applications should demonstrate how the show captures the defiant spirit of the Fringe, taking advantage of the Fringe as a unique platform to tell untold stories
- The fund aims to support professional performers/artists/creators or individuals with professional ambitions for their work who can demonstrate an existing level of planning for Fringe 2023
- Applications should set out clear ambitions for the future life of the piece of work being funded and/or their career
- While no budget is required and there are no ineligible costs, the details of the spend should be clear, specific and informed costs relating to bringing your show and the ‘value added’ by the funding
- Funding will be prioritised to artists who don’t have an existing high profile and artists who face barriers to funding/the arts more generally
Applicants will be assessed by external specialists to identify those that demonstrate the greatest need and the boldest ideas. Should the assessment panel identify a greater number of applications deserving of funding above the 50 bursaries available, we reserve the right to apply a random selection method to the pool of those successful applications.
How can artists find out more?
On Wednesday 08 March at 4pm, the Fringe Society team will be hosting an online webinar where artists will have the opportunity to find out more and ask any questions they may have. They can sign up for this webinar here – https://connect.edfringe.com/events/109253. This webinar will be available to watch on Fringe Connect after the event.
Theatre Scotland 