Edinburgh Fringe: Funding the Future and Making it Affordable

The Edinburgh Fringe Festival, a global celebration of arts and culture, is navigating the complex financial landscape of supporting a vast array of performers and productions. With a focus on accessibility and artist development, the festival is implementing various funding initiatives and budget-friendly options for attendees.

Keep It Fringe Fund Bolsters Artist Ambitions

The "Keep it Fringe" fund, now in its third year, has announced 180 recipients for 2025, each receiving a £2,500 bursary. This initiative, supported by a £1 million grant from the Department for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) over two years, aims to help artists realize their professional goals. The fund, initially launched by Phoebe Waller-Bridge and supported by "Fleabag for Charity" and Edinburgh Gin, received 850 applications for 2025. The successful applicants represent a diverse range of genres and backgrounds, with 33% identifying as disabled and over 30% from working-class backgrounds. The Fringe Society is actively seeking continued funding to ensure the long-term sustainability of this vital program, emphasizing its role in making the Fringe more accessible to artists across the UK.

Making the Fringe Affordable for Audiences

The Edinburgh Fringe is committed to offering budget-friendly options for attendees. For the 2025 festival, over 400 free shows will be available across various genres, with audiences encouraged to donate if they can. Fringe Street Events also provide free entertainment from world-class street performers. Additionally, the festival offers:

• 2for1 Ticket Days: Held on August 4th and 5th, these days allow artists to attract larger audiences and reduce costs for attendees. A separate 2for1 offer is available daily for Fringe Friends.

• Half Price Hut: Starting August 6th, this initiative offers half-price tickets for same-day performances, accessible via the Fringe Box Office after browsing online.

• Venue Offers: Independent venues often provide their own ticketing deals, which can be found on their respective social media and websites.

The Financial Realities for Performers

The cost of participating in the Edinburgh Fringe can be substantial for performers, with estimates suggesting a show can cost around £20,000 when factoring in accommodation, PR, venue fees, and marketing. To counter this, the festival champions initiatives like the "Free Fringe" (PBH and Laughing Horse) and "Pay What You Can" (PWYC) models. These approaches, as highlighted by performers, level the playing field, encourage audience engagement, and foster a more inclusive environment. PWYC shows, in particular, allow audiences to decide the value of their experience, leading to a more dynamic and enjoyable performance for both artist and attendee. Even if unable to donate financially, promoting shows through word-of-mouth and social media is a valuable contribution to an artist's success.

Sources

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

• Enjoy Fringe 2022 on a budget | Edinburgh Festival Fringe, Edinburgh Fringe.

• The Financial Fringes: Free & PWYC shows at Edinburgh Fringe 2022, TheSkinny.co.uk.