Edinburgh Fringe Fund Empowers 180 Artists with Bursaries

The Edinburgh Festival Fringe Society has announced the recipients of its "Keep it Fringe" fund, a vital initiative supporting artists in bringing their work to the world's largest arts festival. This year, 180 artists and companies will receive £2,500 bursaries, fostering diversity and accessibility within the Fringe program. The fund, backed by the Department for Culture, Media and Sport, aims to remove financial barriers for creatives.

Key Takeaways

• 180 artists and companies received £2,500 bursaries for the 2024 and 2025 Edinburgh Fringe festivals.

• The fund is supported by a £1 million grant from the Department for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) over two years.

• Successful applicants represent a diverse range of subjects, genres, and backgrounds, with a significant percentage identifying as disabled or from working-class origins.

Supporting Emerging Talent

The "Keep it Fringe" fund, launched in 2023, is designed to help artists overcome the financial hurdles associated with participating in the Edinburgh Fringe. This year's announcement sees 180 artists and companies awarded £2,500 bursaries, enabling them to showcase their work at the renowned festival. The initiative reflects the Fringe's core vision of providing a platform for anyone to perform and for everyone to experience the arts.

Diverse Recipients and Themes

The 2024 recipients' applications covered a wide spectrum of topics, including immigration, fake news, imposter syndrome, and ADHD diagnoses. Similarly, the 2025 recipients will explore themes such as IVF, incel culture, and football hooliganism. This diversity highlights the broad range of creative expression found at the Fringe. Notably, 41% of the 2024 successful applicants identify as disabled or have a health condition, and over a third come from a working-class background. For 2025, 33% of recipients identify as disabled or have a health condition, with over 30% from working-class backgrounds.

Government and Society Support

The "Keep it Fringe" fund is significantly backed by the Department for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS), which has provided £1 million over two years (2024 and 2025). Culture Secretary Lucy Frazer emphasized the government's commitment to nurturing future stars and maintaining the Fringe's reputation for supporting emerging artists. Shona McCarthy, Chief Executive of the Edinburgh Festival Fringe Society, expressed gratitude for the DCMS funding, acknowledging its crucial role in making the festival more accessible to artists across the UK. The Society is actively seeking further funding to ensure the long-term sustainability of this vital program.

Sources

• Keep it Fringe fund 2024: recipients announced | Edinburgh Festival Fringe, Edinburgh Fringe.

• Keep it Fringe 2025: 180 award recipients announced, Edinburgh Fringe.