Dunedin Fringe Festival Growth A Force To Be Reckoned With

Dunedin Fringe Festival Growth A Force To Be Reckoned With

Call for Artists (and a new Director!) To Forge Next Chapter

The 2018 Dunedin Fringe Festival will kick off with its signature Opening Night Showcase, at the Dunedin Town Hall on Wednesday March 7th, and run until Sunday March 18th. Registrations open 14 August for artists – locally, nationally and internationally – to put on a show at this open access carnival of creativity.

This year’s event was the biggest in a decade, with more than 80 events on offer. There were twice as many international artists as the previous year, and a 50% growth in total audience numbers.

“The Dunedin Fringe Festival has been a core part of our local arts scene since its inception in 2000” said Festival Director Josh Thomas. “What’s been encouraging in recent years is its growing presence on the national, and international, touring circuit.”

It also marks the end of an era for the Fringe, with Mr Thomas stepping down after three years at the helm. It has been a fruitful period, overseeing both the continued development of the Fringe Festival, and the establishment of the New Zealand Young Writers Festival (September 7-10, 2017).

“It’s been an enriching experience running Fringe HQ, and producing our annual calendar of events. The range of people I got to engage with has absolutely been the highlight and I'm happy with where I've helped take the organisation. I'm especially pleased with the Fringe Festival which I have tried especially hard to develop in a positive way for artists and audience alike. Now felt like the right time for me to step aside and pursue some new challenges” he said.

Applications for the Director position are open until Monday June 19th.

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