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Navigating the "off-season" is where the most successful Adelaide Fringe participants solidify their presence in the education sector. Success in the Schools Program isn't just about a great performance during the festival; it’s about building a year-round relationship with educators through social impact, adaptable touring, and comprehensive post-show support.

Contents

Watch the Session

Measuring Success: Beyond the Box Office

In the arts, we often get caught up in economic impact and ticket sales, but schools and funding bodies are increasingly looking at social impact. Georgi highlights that reporting is shifting toward how a performance affects a student’s long-term well-being or creative development. While it is difficult to track a student for ten years to see if they became an artist, you can measure immediate social impact by asking students to identify with specific statements about the show shortly after the performance.

For independent artists, this data is gold. When you can tell a principal or a venue manager that 85% of students felt "more curious about science" or "more confident in their own creativity" after your Show, you are speaking the language of the Department for Education.

Maintaining Relationships: The Year-Round Engagement

The "ripple effect" of a Fringe Show should last long after the posters come down. Natalie discusses a successful model from her time in Canada where schools engaged in a three-step touchpoint: an in-class incursion, a trail tour or workshop, and finally, the Show itself. This creates a year-round relationship rather than a one-off transaction.

One of the biggest challenges is teacher turnover. Georgi notes that personal, one-on-one interactions—even if just over email—are what solidify these bonds. If you manage your own ticketing for schools, use that direct line to check in with teachers during the off-season. When a teacher moves to a new school, they become a seed you’ve planted in a new network.

Post-Show Resources: Extending the Experience

A 40-page resource kit might sound daunting, but for a teacher looking to fill a lesson plan, it is a lifesaver. Natalie and Matt recommend creating modular resources that teachers can "pick and choose" from. This might include a glossary of terms used in the Show, a narrative arc activity for English classes, or a historical timeline.

Timing is everything. Georgi advises that providing resources at the end of a Show is often too late. Teachers need these materials weeks, if not months, in advance to embed the themes into their term planning. If your resources are available on your website or linked via your AVR (Artist and Venue Registration) listing, you increase the likelihood of your Show being chosen for its educational value.

Key Takeaways

  • Think beyond the Arts: Your Show might be a circus act, but for a teacher, it could be a study in Physics, History, or Social Well-being.
  • Social Impact matters: Start collecting simple feedback from students (not just teachers) to build a case for the social value of your work.
  • Modular Resources: Create post-show activities that cater to both the specialist performing arts teacher and the generalist primary teacher who needs a step-by-step guide.
  • The "Hour Rule": Aim to be so self-sufficient that you can have your Show set up and ready to go within one hour of opening your car door at a school.
  • Hand Up, Voice Out: Don't assume venues know your Show is school-friendly. Actively flag your educational content during registration and talk to venue staff about school-specific days.

Actionable Tips

  • Update your AVR Listing: Ensure your Show description explicitly mentions curriculum links (English, Science, Humanities) to capture the attention of non-arts teachers.
  • Create a "Post-Show" Digital Hub: Host your resources on a dedicated webpage with clear download links so teachers can access them anytime without waiting for an email.
  • Offer PD for Teachers: Consider offering a brief Professional Development workshop alongside your Show to help teachers feel confident teaching the themes you’ve presented.
  • Collect Student "Impact Statements": Create a simple "tick-box" survey for kids to fill out as they leave, focusing on how the Show made them feel or what they learned.
  • Connect with Local Hubs: If your Show has a specific theme (e.g., Space), include links in your resources to local societies or community groups that can continue the student's journey.

Additional Resources