Independent artists planning to present work in the 2018 Adelaide Fringe can now apply for financial assistance through the Adelaide Fringe Artist Fund. This year, the Adelaide Fringe Artist Fund will disperse $60,000 in funds. The majority will be awarded as grants to artists via application to support them in the presentation of their work in the 2018 Adelaide Fringe.
Adelaide Fringe Director and CEO Heather Croall said the organisation took its responsibility to foster new, exciting Australian talent across all art forms very seriously. “Artists put their heart and soul into their work and take a risk by using their own funds to present a show,” said Ms Croall.
“The Artist Fund grants can help reduce the pressure so they can focus on what they love doing. Not only does the Artist Fund help artists to get their show up and running, it ensures our festival program includes daring and diverse contemporary work that surprises and wows audiences.”
Since the fund was launched in 2014, 19 artists have shared in $100,000 worth of grants from Adelaide Fringe. Ms Croall said many of the previous recipients had gone on to achieve greater success, including award recognition, further funding and international bookings.
“We are hearing so many wonderful success stories!” said Ms Croall. “After presenting their shows at Adelaide Fringe, some of the past winners have then toured their work across Australia and to cities such as Edinburgh, London and New York.”
Adelaide-based playwright Emily Steel received a grant to present 19 weeks – a play about her personal experience with abortion, in the 2017 Adelaide Fringe. The piece received multiple awards and a $3800 grant from the State Government’s Made in Adelaide initiative to attend this year’s Edinburgh Fringe.
“Our Artist Fund grant helped make 19 Weeks possible. As well as giving us financial support, it was a vote of confidence that helped us take risks with a controversial and unusual show,” said Ms Steel. “We are enormously grateful to the Adelaide Fringe for being there with us at the beginning of this project and we now intend to tour 19 weeks in Australia and internationally in 2018.”
Adelaide Fringe Artist Fund grants are open to individuals, groups and organisations and support may be sought for any costs associated with:
• Travel, freight, living away allowance and accommodation
• Artist fees or salaries for creative and technical personnel
• Venue and equipment hire
• Marketing and publicity
• Costumes and materials
• Adelaide Fringe Artist Registration
• Administration
Artists can apply for up to $10,000 per project and applications will be assessed on their level of innovation, dare and risk, audience connection, marketing and promotion.
Applications are now open and close at 5.00pm – Monday 4 September 2017. For more information, visit: www.adelaidefringe.com.au for details. The 2018 Adelaide Fringe will run from 16 February to 18 March.
Image: Tiffany Lyndall Knight features in Emily Steel’s 19 Weeks – courtesy of Adelaide Fringe