FRINGE MOVEMENT
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WHAT IS A FRINGE FESTIVAL?
Fringe festivals exist worldwide as havens for underground and emerging arts scenes. The Fringe concept was incubated in Edinburgh, Scotland. In 1947, eight performance groups appeared uninvited on the “fringes” of the exclusive Edinburgh International Festival. The Edinburgh Fringe Festival has since grown into the largest arts festival in the world, with hundreds of artists, thousands of performances, and millions of patrons every summer. It annually grosses over $100 million for the local economy and remains the biggest tourist draw in the UK.
Fringe Festivals have since sprung up in dozens of cities across the world. Most Fringe festivals are open and unjuried, preferring lotteries, first-come-first-served, and find-your-own-venue systems to a formal selection process. This open means of programming fosters the work of both the well-established and the obscure; everyone has the opportunity to participate. Fringe festivals nourish young visionaries by providing networking opportunities and production experience. They also provide large economic and cultural boosts for their hosting communities. It's exciting and meaningful that Elgin Fringe is a part of the larger Fringe movement, learning and encouraging each other to better our world through artistic expression.
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The Elgin Fringe Festival is part of the United States Association of Fringe Festivals (USAFF) and the Canadian Association of Fringe Festivals (CAFF). Elgin Fringe's Artistic Director, Nick Mataragas, is the vice president of CAFF.
CANADIAN ASSOCIATION OF FRINGE FESTIVALS
CAFF is a member-driven, volunteer-run arts services organization that provides assistance, guidance, and support to its member Festivals. The volunteers are comprised of a mix of newly minted and seasoned Fringe Festival Directors and Producers, along with a network of team staff members of varying levels and experiences. We openly and willingly share documents, resources, and Festival operational knowledge with one another that serve to bolster and strengthen each of our Festivals, which in turn contributes to a stronger and healthier Fringe ecosystem. Collectively, CAFF member Festivals work together in concert to bring about positive institutional change within our individual member Festivals, our society, and the world in general.
WORLD FRINGE ASSOCIATION OF FRINGE FESTIVALS
The International Fringe Festival Association was set up to serve the global Fringe community, including festival staff, venues, performers & artists, agents, audiences, suppliers, media, sponsors & supporters, and wider industry professionals. World Fringe organizes and facilitates one-to-one meetings, conversations, and spreading the word about existing Fringe Festivals as well as consulting with new and developing Fringes. World Fringe hosts networking events, conferences, talks, and workshops on where to go and how to get involved. It offers advice on whose-who, what’s on where and how it can be useful. World Fringe educates the festival sector and audiences on the importance of ‘Fringe’.
UNITED STATES ASSOCIATION OF FRINGE FESTIVALS
The United States Association of Fringe Festivals (USAFF) was formed to bring the nations' festivals together to share ideas and best practices in order to grow the art of Fringe. USAFF generally defines fringe festivals as those that are focused on performing arts, uncensored, easy to participate in, multiple days, original, and rapid-fire!
ELGIN CULTURAL ARTS COMMISSION
The Elgin Cultural Arts Commission (ECAC) oversees the public Art programs within the City of Elgin. ECAC provides cultural arts grants, organizes workshops, and invests in the promotion of arts activities throughout the area. Elgin Fringe is so grateful for the partnership and support we receive each year from ECAC!
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