‘Skyrocketing’ expenses threaten the future of Edmonton International Fringe Theatre Festival

Organizers of the Edmonton International Fringe Theatre Festival say the event is struggling financially and that without immediate help, the future of the festival will be very different.

The Fringe launched a movement Monday to “sustain Fringe Theatre.” The organization has put out a call out to the community to donate to or sponsor the festival, or for people to volunteer their time to help keep the popular summer festival afloat.

“Expenses are skyrocketing; funding is dwindling; and previously dependable revenues are not keeping pace with the cost of producing our event,” executive director Megan Dart said.

“This rapidly evolving challenge is threatening the very fabric of our festival and others like it. Without immediate support, our festival will be very different.”

The Edmonton International Fringe Theatre Festival is the largest and longest running festival of its kind in North America. Last year, it received more than 500,000 site visits, drove more than $16 million into the local economy and returned more than $1.2 million in ticket sales directly to the artists.

However, the festival is still recovering from the $3 million loss in revenue it experienced by having to cancel the 2020 event due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

1:45 Edmonton International Fringe Festival wrapping up Sunday

Organizers said Edmonton’s Fringe festival is not alone when it comes to its financial setbacks. The Edmonton Fringe is a founding member of the Canadian Association of Fringe Festivals and World Fringe. Organizers said without immediate financial support, some of the Fringe festivals around the world will not survive.

Dart noted Fringe artists receive 100 per cent of the profit from their ticket sales.

“When you buy a ticket to a Fringe show, you are supporting the artists on the stage,” Dart said. “When you donate to Fringe Theatre, you ensure artists have access to all the essentials they need – the stage, the lights, the sound, the technicians, the audience – to tell their stories and propel their careers.”

Dart said if every Fringe fan gave $5 per month, every month, it would be enough to sustain the festival.

“We believe in the transformative power of the arts and are committed to maintaining our impact,” Dart said. “But to achieve that, we need our community now more than ever.”

More information on how to donate can be found on the Fringe Theatre’s website.

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