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As you gear up to register your brilliant show for the Adelaide Fringe, you'll come across the Artist Agreement. Think of this not as a daunting legal document, but as your roadmap to a successful and fair festival journey. This guide is here to break down the key parts, so you know exactly what to expect and what your rights and responsibilities are.

Contents

What's This Agreement All About?

The Adelaide Fringe Artist Agreement is essentially a contract between you, the artist or presenter, and Adelaide Fringe Incorporated. It lays out the terms for your participation as an independent artist in the festival. When you register your show, you're agreeing to these terms, so having a good grasp of them is super important.

It covers everything from how your show details are used to how tickets are sold and how you get paid. It's designed to ensure a clear understanding for everyone involved, helping to make your Fringe experience as smooth and enjoyable as possible.

Read the Agreement

Click here to download the agreement as a pdf.

Your Show and Your Rights: Content and Intellectual Property

This section is all about your creative work and how it's treated within the Fringe. When you provide information and materials about your show for registration (like descriptions, images, or videos), this is referred to as Content. The agreement clarifies how Adelaide Fringe can use this content to promote your show across various platforms, including the Official Fringe Guide, website, and other marketing materials.

Crucially, the agreement usually confirms that you, as the presenter, retain ownership of your intellectual property (IP) related to your show. This means your script, music, choreography, and other creative elements remain yours. Adelaide Fringe gets a license to use these materials specifically for promoting and running the festival, but they don't take ownership of your brilliant creations. It's always a good idea to ensure all your original work is protected.

If you're using any third-party copyrighted material in your show, remember it’s your responsibility to secure all necessary permissions and licenses. Adelaide Fringe won't be liable for any royalties or infringements in this regard.

Getting Paid: Ticketing and Settlements

One of the most vital parts for artists is understanding how your box office works! The agreement outlines the process for selling tickets through Adelaide Fringe (Adelaide Fringe's official ticketing service). You'll typically find details on:

  • Ticket Pricing: How you set your ticket prices and any standard Fringe ticket types or promotions that might apply.
  • Ticketing Fees: While Adelaide Fringe aims to maximise returns for artists, there is an artist inside charge retained by Adelaide Fringe to cover operational costs.
  • Settlement Process: This explains how and when the money from your ticket sales will be paid out to you.
  • Refunds and Exchanges: The conditions under which refunds or exchanges are processed, aligning with Live Performance Australia's Ticketing Code of Practice.

Keeping It Safe: Insurance and Risk

Safety is paramount, and the Artist Agreement will detail important requirements around insurance. You'll almost certainly need to have Public Liability Insurance. This protects you in case of accidental injury to a person or damage to property during your performances or related activities. The agreement will specify the minimum coverage required.

It’s important to arrange your insurance well in advance of the festival. There are often arts-specific insurance providers in Australia who can offer competitive rates. Adelaide Fringe won't be liable for any claims arising from your show's operations, so getting this sorted is a must-do.

Beyond insurance, the agreement touchs on your responsibilities regarding general safety, risk assessment, and compliance with all relevant laws and regulations during your participation. This includes things like fire safety, venue capacity, and working with children checks if applicable.

Playing Fair: Code of Conduct and Dispute Resolution

Adelaide Fringe is committed to fostering a safe, inclusive, and respectful environment for everyone. The Artist Agreement will reference or incorporate a Code of Conduct. This code outlines expected behaviours and sets clear standards against discrimination, harassment, bullying, and abusive conduct among artists, venues, festival staff, and audiences.

Understanding this code means knowing your part in upholding a positive Fringe spirit. If any issues or disputes arise during your participation, the agreement usually outlines the channels for communication and resolution. Adelaide Fringe's Artist & Venue team is always there to provide support and guidance if you encounter any challenges.

Marketing and Promotion: Getting the Word Out

While the agreement focuses on the formal aspects, it’s worth noting that registering your show also grants you access to various marketing and promotional opportunities. This includes your listing in the Official Fringe Guide and on the website, as well as access to Adelaide Fringe sales data to help you track your audience. Adelaide Fringe also runs broader marketing campaigns to drive audience attendance to the festival as a whole.

Remember, while Fringe provides a platform, your own marketing and promotion efforts are key to your show's success! The agreement will clarify how you can use the Fringe branding and logos in your own promotional materials.

Key Contacts at Adelaide Fringe

The Artist Agreement will provide essential contact details for different teams within Adelaide Fringe who can help you with specific queries. Don't hesitate to reach out if you're unsure about anything.

  • Artist & Venue Team: For general questions about your registration, venue relations, professional development, and navigating the festival.
  • Ticketing Team: For specific queries related to your ticket sales, settlements, promo codes, and ticketing reports.

These teams are there to support you every step of the way.

Summary

  • The Artist Agreement is your guide to participating in Adelaide Fringe, covering your rights and responsibilities.
  • You retain intellectual property of your show, while Fringe uses your content for promotion.
  • Understand Adelaide Fringe for ticketing, fees, and how your box office settlements work.
  • Ensure you have adequate Public Liability Insurance and comply with safety guidelines.
  • Adhere to the Code of Conduct and use official channels for support and dispute resolution.

Additional Resources