ACT Arts Minister Joy Burch said $20,000 in financial support from artsACT, as well as infrastructure and promotional support from Multicultural Festival organisers, was now on the table to bring an alternative arts event to the CBD.

A spokesperson for the minister told “CityNews” that this money was already assigned by the caretaker government and the matter was now in the hands of artsACT. It was additional promises to make the Fringe  a permanent event that will be dependent on election outcomes.

Burch said the decision to bring back the Fringe was something that the community had “resoundingly supported,” adding, “We are seeking enthusiastic artists with experience and passion for performance arts and with a vision that will make an impression on Canberra audiences.”

The current perspective is that the Fringe event will run on the afternoon and evening of Saturday, February 9 in  the Canberra CBD, though  not necessarily in the same precinct as the Multicultural Festival.

In its last manifestation, the Fringe was  staged by former producer Jorian Gardner in Civic Square, right in front of the Canberra Theatre, though it spent several gestation years in the forecourt of The Street Theatre.

It is believed that Mr Gardner will be one of several theatre personalities in Canberra likely to make a bid for the job, though he has said publicly that he would propose that the event run, for the same cost, over more than one day.

The final site will  be recommended by the Creative Producer for approval by artsACT and other stakeholders, Ms Burch said. As well, the successful applicant would  have “a licence to experiment… the Fringe festival that previously ran alongside the Multicultural Festival tapped into this vibe and we want to bring that back in 2013…Applicants should consider the innovative use of performance spaces and associated resources, and cross-artform collaborations.”

The current minister’s approach to specifications is in marked contrast to the views of former Labor Minister John Hargreaves, who was responsible for pulling the Fringe out of the Multicultural Festival and transferring it into the National Folk Festival.

Expressions of interest close on November 12, and the successful applicant will be announced within four weeks.

More information at www.arts.act.gov.au

End statement

Media Contact:

Victor Violante

Ph: 6205 0145

Mob: 0421 846 201

victor.violante@act.gov.au