Festival's plans to build back better

Organisers of the Edinburgh Fringe have launched a £7.5million fundraising drive to aid the long-term recovery of the festival after Covid.

Edinburgh Gin kicked the campaign off with the £150,000 raised from tis collaboration with Phoebe Waller-Bridge to make Fleabag-branded bottles. Around £160,000 more has come from  individual donors.

The fundraising campaign, which will run for thee to five years, aims to support artists and venues; break down barriers to participation; make the festival more sustainable; engage more with Edinburgh residents and young people - particularly from underrepresented areas of the city; create better routes to professional development and secure a new home for the Fringe Society.

Its chief executive, Shona McCarthy, said:  ‘The last 18 months have been the most challenging in the Fringe’s history, and everyone – from artists and venues to the Fringe Society - has experienced huge losses. 

‘I’m so proud of what’s been achieved in 2021, and in so many ways, this year’s festival was a success. Over 940 shows were brought to life, incredible new venues were created in the most imaginative of spaces, and audiences flocked back to experience the magic of the Fringe.

‘But it can't be stressed enough: this does not mean the Fringe is back to health. 2021’s scaled-back event only happened because of emergency grants, and in many cases, loans that now need to be repaid. We want to ensure the Fringe that returns reflects the world we live in - not just those who can afford to keep going.

‘Recovery isn’t about going back to how things were. It’s about reimagining the Fringe as the best version of itself and using this moment of pause to reflect and change. We want everyone – from residents and local business owners to artists, operators and audience members – to have their say on what that looks like. And we’ll need support to make that vision a reality.’

It’s estimated that £20million was lost because of the cancellation of the Fringe last year.

Published: 24 Aug 2021