Sign In / Register

Resources

Adelaide Fringe is a creative melting pot of artists and other industry professionals. Fringe shows and activities are a drawcard for tourists, boost wellbeing amongst local residents, strengthen the economy, and encourage positive word-of-mouth experiences to be shared from your council area.

Contents

Why Participate in the Festival?

  • Develop your area’s unique character and showcase its local attractions.
  • Create a legacy that will continue to benefit the community long after the festival ends.
  • Turn your area into a creative hub, contributing to overall growth and development.
  • Build a sense of community. Supporting your local artists, shows, and venues will promote a strong network to draw on year-round.

How to Participate in Adelaide Fringe as a Council

Councils provide key support to their communities year-round, Fringe just adds an extra dimension for you to play with and explore!

We’ve put together a list of ideas of things you can do to help your local Fringe shows maximise their success and get the community involved:

  1. Find out what Fringe shows are happening in your area. To find out what shows are happening in your council, you can contact the Artist and Venues Team to receive an up-to-date report (we send a report to Councils in December) or check out the map of various Fringe venues around the state.
  2. Share the message through your communications or marketing with your local database. You might have platforms such as a Facebook page, Instagram, website, email marketing list, or an information board, newsletter, council notices, etc.
  3. Check the dates of the Fringe shows happening in your area. Are all the shows happening in one weekend or are they spread throughout the 31 days?
  4. Think about a name for your Fringe season. Get Fringe-y! "Murray Bridge Fringe", "Prospect Fringe", "Fringe in the Vale" - once you have a name, it might be easier to tell your audience about an exciting shows program.
  5. Create a printed program or map. We can provide you with a list of the show name, dates, times, venues, and prices - you could add this to your existing shows program or make a new one just for the occasion! Check out our branding packs here.
  6. Get the local community involved. Are there existing shows happening at this time who can register in Fringe and be part of the fun? Talk to your local cafes, bars, hotels, galleries, sporting clubs, community groups about getting involved. You can easily register a show and promote this through our website.
  7. Shout your Fringe message from the rooftops!
    • Use social media to connect with local shows, venues, and artists in your town.
    • List the shows on your website and shows calendar.
    • Put up posters at your community building or local shopping centre.
    • Tell your local newspaper or radio station about the shows and get the Mayor to talk about how excited they are that the Fringe is in town!
    • Contact the artists you have been given contacts for at step one and tell them you are excited about their participation in Fringe, and ask how Council can help.

Register your Venue/s

Have you got any venues that would be suitable for Fringe? They can be anything... registered venues in the past have been anything from theatres, pubs, clubs, churches, vacant buildings, and bars - to buses, bathrooms, swimming pools, and caravans! Check out our Venue Mag for everything you need to know.

Supporting Artists

Some of the biggest barriers artists face are access to resources, connection to communities, and the cost of putting on a show.

How you can help Artists:

  • Waive street performer / busking license fees.
  • Provide a subsidy for Adelaide Fringe show registration.
  • Offer free promotion of shows through your channels (e.g. EDMs, Facebook, website, digital and print displays).
  • Provide free or discounted venue hire on your council-run venue(s).
  • Are you tricky to get to? Consider offering travel and accommodation packages.

"It was such a pleasure to perform regionally this year, giving me the opportunity to travel and perform in places and for people that I would not usually have access to. It really enabled me to shuffle my Fringe up, and get to know those small town vibes!" - Ciara Thornburn, Fringe Artist (2022)

Examples

  • City of Burnside provided the opportunity to be involved in a Council pop-up show, What’s on in Burnside Fringe 2023, that provided a space and time slot for artists to showcase their show.
  • City of Charles Sturt offered grants of up to $5000 for selected eligible Performing arts, Visual arts, public art, moving image, Literary arts, and Interdisciplinary arts projects.
  • Councils promoted the Live and Local grants provided by the SA Government of up to $4000 for eligible creative new music projects and shows, at no cost to local councils.

Check out these examples of maps and information packs other Council hubs have created: Simple map, Map & itinerary, Regional program, Detailed info pack

Summary

  • Adelaide Fringe offers significant benefits for your council, including economic boosts, community engagement, and showcasing local character.
  • Councils can actively participate by identifying local shows, promoting them through various channels, and even creating their own Fringe season branding and programs.
  • Supporting artists through waiving fees, subsidies, free promotion, or discounted venue hire helps reduce common barriers to participation.
  • Examples from other councils demonstrate practical ways to engage with and support Fringe activities in your area.

Additional Resources