What to do When Starting

What to do When Starting a Fringe Festival

Why a Fringe Festival?

Starting a Fringe Festival can provide a unique platform for emerging and established artists, promote community cohesion, and boost local economies. The motivations behind creating a Fringe can vary widely, including:

• Cultural Development: Providing opportunities for new artistic work.

• Community Engagement: Bringing people together through shared experiences.

• Economic Impact: Boosting local tourism and businesses.

• Platform for Emerging Artists: A stepping stone for new performers.

Case Study: 

The Edinburgh Fringe Festival, the world's largest arts festival, started as an alternative to the Edinburgh International Festival. It now generates over £142 million annually for Scotland’s economy.

Tips for Starting:

Conduct a feasibility study to gauge audience interest:

• • Run surveys and focus groups to understand the demand for a Fringe Festival in your area.

  • Analyse existing audience demographics for similar events and festivals.

  • Engage with arts councils, local governments, and tourism boards to assess cultural appetite and economic viability.

  • Use online tools such as Google Forms or SurveyMonkey to collect responses from artists, potential sponsors, and community members.

  • Review social media engagement and event participation trends to measure potential interest.

Engage with local artists and venues early:

• • Host community meetings or networking events to connect with artists, theatre groups, and venue owners.

  • Establish partnerships with local venues, including traditional theatres, pop-up spaces, and alternative performance locations.

  • Create an artist advisory panel to guide programming and ensure inclusivity.

  • Develop relationships with established performers and cultural institutions to leverage their networks and expertise.

  • Offer early registration incentives to encourage participation from artists and venue hosts.

Research existing arts initiatives in your area:

• • Identify current cultural festivals, open-mic nights, theatre groups, and arts organisations.

  • Study their programming models, audience reach, and funding structures to understand what works.

  • Look at previous arts funding allocations from local councils, grant providers, and government bodies.

  • Analyse potential overlap or collaboration opportunities with other cultural events in the region.

  • Connect with arts councils, industry associations, and funding bodies to understand regulatory requirements and potential funding sources.

Key Questions to Consider:

• What artistic disciplines will your festival focus on (e.g., theatre, music, comedy, dance, interdisciplinary arts)?

• What will set your festival apart from others?

• How will your festival serve artists, audiences, and the local community?

• What are your long-term goals for sustainability and growth

By thoroughly exploring these areas, organisers can build a strong foundation for their Fringe Festival, ensuring it is both artistically enriching and financially sustainable.