The countdown to the 2016 Adelaide Fringe has begun with the announcement that applications to the Cultural Fund and venues wishing to host performances during the festival are now open!
Adelaide Fringe established the Cultural Fund in 2014 to provide support to artists registering a show in the Adelaide Fringe. This year, eight grants of $5000 will be offered to Australian artists to help them present work at the 2016 festival. Work can be from any genre – cabaret, children’s events, circus and physical theatre, comedy, dance, film, interactive, music, theatre and visual art.
Adelaide Fringe Artistic Director & CEO Heather Croall said “We encourage applications in all art forms and proposals that are ambitious in delivering new contemporary art for a wide range of audiences.”
Previous Cultural Fund grant recipient Kim Bowers aka Busty Beatz, co-creative director of Hot Brown Honey said the company would not have been able to register their show for the 2015 Adelaide Fringe without the financial support. “Throughout the season it become clear that the Adelaide Fringe Cultural Fund was not only a financial contribution but also a truly physical and encouraging backing of our diverse and daring work,” said Ms Bowers.
Adelaide Fringe Cultural 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, publicity and administration; costumes and set materials; and Adelaide Fringe Artist Registration.
Applications will be assessed on their level of innovation, dare and risk, audience connection and marketing and promotion. Applications are now open and close on Wednesday 2 September 2015.
Adelaide Fringe venues are as diverse as the shows they host and include traditional theatres, pubs, churches, art galleries, vacant buildings, private homes and even buses. Heather Croall is encouraging businesses and individuals across the city, suburbs and regional South Australia to register a Fringe venue.
“We’re on the look out for venues of all shapes and sizes to play host to Fringe events and artists,” said Ms Croall. “We want to see exciting new spaces transformed and more bricks and mortar businesses getting involved in the Fringe festivities next year. If you’ve never registered a venue before, this is the time to do it.”
In 2015, there was 376 registered venues for the festival. Venues are run independently with support from Adelaide Fringe staff. Ms Croall said there were also plans to help audiences discover the lesser known artists and smaller venues across the city next year.
“In 2016, we’ll paint the town pink for the month of Fringe and we have plans to light up the city like never before,” said Ms Croall. “Luminosity is the word and we hope the whole city will be glowing during Fringe with every venue lit up and easy to find no matter where it is.”
To become a 2016 Adelaide Fringe venue you will need to register your details at: www.adelaidefringe.com.au. Registration is free and once you have registered your details, you will be added to a venues list for artists to view when artist registrations open on Saturday 1 August 2015. Venue registrations close on Wedneday 7 October 2015.
The 2016 Adelaide Fringe runs from 12 February until 14 March. For more information, visit: www.adelaidefringe.com.au for details.
Image: Hot Brown Honey – photo by James Henry