Nearly 80 independent designers will descend on National Galleries Scotland: National in Edinburgh this weekend for a showcase of creative talent.
In what is their debut capital city event, Tea Green Events are holding their first ever market at the beautiful venue from Friday 23 to Sunday 25 August, returning with their festive market in November.
The markets’ arrival in Edinburgh is a fitting end to the Scottish company’s record-breaking run of summer markets to celebrate their 10th anniversary. Markets have also been held at Aberdeen Art Gallery, The Burrell Collection and Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum in Glasgow, V&A Dundee and Bowhouse in Fife.
Specialising in carefully curated markets within some of Scotland’s most stunning creative spaces, Tea Green Events was launched by Dundee jeweller Joanne MacFadyen who is holding a record 20 markets across Scotland this year, driven by increased demand from independent makers and the public.
Joanne said, “Our arrival at the National in Edinburgh represents a huge milestone for Tea Green Events and is a fitting finale to end our biggest ever summer run of markets which have been absolutely amazing.
“It’s extra special to be working within such a prestigious space in a superb location, a prospect I know the artists and designers are just as excited by.
“Because of the huge number of tourists visiting Edinburgh at this time, it’s a real privilege to be showcasing the very best of Scottish craftsmanship, beautiful hand-crafted pieces of work made by some truly talented individuals.
“We’ll have everything from jewellery and prints to knitwear, letterpress stationery and ceramics, truly something for everyone!”
One of the designers preparing to set out her stall is Fiona McIntosh of Edinburgh-based Tessuti Scotland, who makes a range of hand-dyed and silk-screened accessories.
Fiona, who launched her business in 1985, said, “I’ve been involved with Tea Green right from the beginning and, although I used to exhibit in London, the Tea Green markets have replaced the need to do that. In fact, they have become my main platform for face-to-face selling.
“When you work alone, it’s always brilliant to get out there and meet new people. It also reminds you why you do what you do! As well as positioning me in front of my target audience, they’re a great way to make new business connections and meet other creatives including local stockists who are looking for new lines to sell in their shops.”
Meanwhile, Jo Walker of Jo Walker Ceramics, who originally studied jewellery design at Edinburgh College of Art, added, “Tea Green markets have made a huge difference to the way craft is portrayed in Scotland.
“In the past, art and craft have been viewed as two distinct things, with art on a pedestal and craft seen as something you tinker away with at a kitchen table. The markets have boosted the status of craft and elevated it to a presence it deserves.
“People are starting to see how much goes into making things, how much skill is involved.”
Isabella Miller, Director of Audience at National Galleries of Scotland said, “We are so excited to welcome the Tea Green’s Summer Market and all of the amazing independent designers to the National.
“We are thrilled that we can offer the beautiful surroundings of the National gallery to showcase the talents of these incredible creatives and support Scottish businesses.
“We hope this will offer something a little different for our visitors to enjoy and that people will pop in to browse the stalls then explore the art. There will be something for everyone to discover during a day out at the National!”
Exciting FREE annual open studios event returns to Out of the Blue Abbeymount
Featuring over 30 artists from paintings to photography and mosaics to fashion
Meet the makers, watch demonstrations and get the chance to win an original piece of art in a free raffle
Out of the Blue Abbeymount Studios are delighted to be opening their doors to the public again this spring for another exciting Open Studios weekend onSaturday 20th & Sunday 21st May from 12noon – 5pm.
Come along to see their creative spaces, meet the makers and browse a wide range of original artworks and gifts. Everything is handmade by local designers and makers here in the heart of Edinburgh.
Fine art / painting / ceramics / illustration / animation / mosaics / fashion / textiles / photography
There will be FREE art/craft/animation demonstrations and workshops taking place over the two days, plus a FREE raffle featuring exclusive prizes donated by Abbeymount Studios artists.
With over 30 artists and creatives taking part, there really is something for everyone. Artists include wildlife painter Kirsten Mirrey whos work for the past five years has focussed on both exotic and endangered wildlife in a highly realistic style.
Award-winning filmmaker Holly Summerson is one of several animators taking part. Her work includes short films, music videos, projections for events, interactive online art and community workshops. The world of textiles and fashion are also covered with the work of ByJenByre. She specialises in creating one of a kind reimagined fashion from vintage second hand materials.
The poster for the Open Studios weekend was designed by resident children’s print designer Blythe Mackenzie of Little Yellow Scribbles who will also be taking part on the 20th and 21st. Little Yellow Scribbles is a children’s textile brand specialising in vibrant, illustrated textile accessories and clothing.
Out of the Blue Abbeymount Studio Manager Bob Guilianotti says: “We’re delighted to be opening the doors of Abbeymount to the public again for our Open Studios weekend.
“There’s an exciting choice of artists and makers to meet as well as the chance to explore this historic building. It’s a chance to meet our resident artists and makers as they demonstrate their work and discuss their inspirations.”
Details of the Open Weekend, as well as a list of participating artists and makers can be found on the Abbeymount Studios website.
Twenty-four Scotland based Hip Hop artists working in music, visual arts, dance, drama, literature, and screen have received bursaries totalling more than £31,000 thanks to a growing nationwide programme of support designed to strengthen and sustain Scotland’s thriving Hip Hop community.
From Turriff to Dumfries, Angus to Aberdeen, the bursaries are backing DJ workshops, the development of new EPs, singles, albums and music videos; dedicated writing, producing, audio engineering and dance training, the creation of new Hip Hop web series’, provision of DJ equipment and the roll out of new events.
Artist, producer, lyricist Queen of Harps (Anise Pearson – pictured above) is in development on a new EP and music video; Angus’ NoQuestion (Connor Metcalfe) is working on an instrumental beats album offering open-source material for future collaborations; and Tristyn Jay Trustler’s forthcoming album – created in memory of their mother, will form the basis for a new theatre production.
Edinburgh’s Werd (Andrew Devine), who’s using his bursary to develop a new album in collaboration with local producers, said “Sunny Govan’s always been a cornerstone in showcasing and supporting Hip Hop in Scotland.
This funding will allow anyone to progress doing what they love while easing financial concerns. I’m proud to be included and given the chance to push myself and others I work with and I encourage all independent acts to learn about these great opportunities on offer.”
Steg G of Sunny Govan Radiosaid: “These bursaries are an important step towards improving access to arts funding and support for new and existing Hip Hop adjacent artists to develop their skills and talents.
“Hip Hop’s energy, artistry and community spirit is alive and thriving in Scotland. It’s a culture, a movement, and a way of life. The ambition, the appetite is palpable and now we’re working together with partners to put the infrastructure and opportunities in place that will help sustain and grow Scotland’s vibrant and diverse scene.”
121 mentoring with legendary Hip Hop Artist Steg G, Talent Manager and Creative Producer Mobo Agoro or DJ and Producer K4CIE also features this year, alongside availability of additional access costs.
Jenny Tipton, Place, Partnerships & Communities Officer at Creative Scotland said: “Now in its second year, we’re excited to be able to provide refreshed opportunities for Scotland’s growing Hip Hop community and pleased to be able to offer increased provision, additional mentoring opportunities and further access support for each bursary.
“In a time of increased uncertainty for the creative sector, small bursary programmes like these are more important than ever to support artists to develop their careers and provide sustained opportunity across the multi art form genre that is Scottish Hip Hop. It’s with thanks to The National Lottery that we’re able to continue to support this programme.”
Artist
Project Summary
Location
Amount £
Karin Bezchlebova
DJ workshops for women in hip hop, supporting guest women DJs to deliver sessions.
Glasgow
£1,500
Gracia Brill
6 track EP for CrayTwinz that also documents the creative process via video so that it can be shared with other artists as a resource.
Dunbar
£1,000
Steven Buckby
Hip Hop writing and producing workshops for women over 21 in Polmont Prison.
Fife
£1,478
AJ Crawford
Two new singles with accompanying music videos.
Glasgow
£1,500
Sean Cosgrove
Web series showcasing young Scottish MCs in a cypher format with artist as DJ.
Glasgow
£1,000
Ibrahim Dikko
Collaborating with local videographer to develop music video for new music release.
Glasgow
£1,035
Andrew Divine
New album for Werd (SOS) working with local producers.
Edinburgh
£1,500
Yas Farzan
Filmed DJ sets showcasing 4 under-represented Hip Hop artists in Scotland.
Glasgow
£1,050
Rowena Gatenby
Equipment to support artists development in DJing, and MCing.
Aberdeen
£1,500
Lewis Linich
Audio engineering workshops for early career audio engineers and producers.
Glasgow
£1,500
Connor Metcalfe
16 track instrumental project by NoQuestion creating an open source beats material for future collaboration.
Angus
£879
John Lee Miller
5 track EP that highlights theme of mental health.
Glasgow
£1,000
Andre Muvuti
7 tracks with 7 Scottish producers focusing on spoken word pieces to be developed into music.
Glasgow
£1,500
Ian Nijdam
Producing a collaborative Hip Hop EP with artists based across Scotland.
Glasgow
£1,250
Anise Pearson
Develop new EP and music video for Queen of Harps.
Edinburgh
£1,000
Harry Raitt
3 track release, with recording, mixing, artwork and visuals collaborating with Scottish based creatives.
Turriff
£1,500
Jordan Robertson
Collection of music videos to support development of work.
Glasgow
£1,000
Alexander Romance
Live music event supporting under-represented artists in Hip Hop.
Dumfries and Galloway
£1,150
Joe Rosenthal
Music video for band AROMA collaborating with rapper Skittles.
Glasgow
£1,500
Nadia Sewnauth
Midgierakers Unite Dance workshops in collaboration with Shelltoe Mel, offering sessions for women and young people to learn different Hip Hop Dance styles.
Dumbarton
£1,500
Sarah-Jayne Simpson
2 tracks exploring contemporary life in the North East of Scotland.
Aberdeen
£1,262
Faris El Sheikh
Working with producer Stu Brown and filmmaker Meray Dinar and contemporary dancer to develop a new song, music video and dance piece.
Glasgow
£1,500
TJ Trusler
Album created in their mother’s memory, that will form the basis for a theatrical production.
Edinburgh
£1,500
David Wark
Collaborating with Big City Brains in Copenhagen, two dance artists from the popping scene in Glasgow will travel to Copenhagen to meet this dance collective and develop a sustainable model of artist development for dancers.
A unique group to help blind and partially sighted people find work in the performing arts has been launched in Edinburgh.
Visually Impaired Creators Scotland (VICS) will inspire established and aspiring artists with sight loss through sharing ideas, collaborative performances, workshops and supportive monthly meetings.
It’s founder Kirin Saeed, a trained professional actor who lives in Leith, was partially sighted until the age of eleven when she then lost most of her remaining vision. “I can just about make out a bit of light and dark now,” she says.
Kirin, herself, was inspired by Extant, a theatre company for people with sight loss that she worked with for six years in London.
“I don’t think there are really any major barriers to actors and performers with a visual impairment apart from the ones that other people create,” she says. “I don’t think memorising a script is a barrier. I don’t think getting around the stage is a barrier. The biggest one is just getting opportunities to perform, trying to infiltrate the industry.
“But how do you communicate the message to theatrical agents, the musical companies? How do you push the message out that people with a vision impairment can still have talent? That’s what our group wants to try and open up. To create a network where we can support each other and promote the work we do when we can get it.”
VICS will run a series of exciting and fun taster-workshops in February open to all visually impaired people aged 18 and over to improve performance-skills and develop new ones.
The workshops will take place at Crannie Community Centre, 9 Cranston Street, Edinburgh on February 18th and 25th and Match 11th from 11am to 3pm. Transport expenses and lunch will be provided.
“Places are limited so first come, first serve,” emphasises Kirin. “You are the performers of the future and we would be delighted to meet you! Come along to try out exercises that explore sound, movement, music and your own experiences in a safe and warm environment.”
You can also call VICS on 07770614747 and they’ll call you back to chat.
And before then you can enjoy a ‘Cabaret In The Dark’ by VICS, with songs, comedy and activities, all in complete darkness! The one-hour entertainment is taking place on Friday, February 10th, at 4 Duncan Place, Edinburgh EH6 8HW.
From nervous beginnings, and the rewarding elation of performing at the Fringe for the first time, to the butterflies of finding new or everlasting love. The Fringe Society is delighted to share amazing moments gathered from artists and audiences, from the past 75 years of the Edinburgh Festival Fringe.
Anecdotes have been gathered over the last few months and include memories such as the excitement of bumping into a favourite celebrity, to taking inspiration from a performance and setting out on a new career journey.
“I first discovered street performing at the Edinburgh Fringe. I was there for the first Fringe Sunday in 1981 and that’s where I first saw a street band called Pookiesnackenburger (from whom Steve McNicholas and Luke Cresswell later became STOMP) who played huge gigs on the street. That got me interested in street performing.” Eddie Izzard
“Whilst here I met a guy who was working at the same venue, we hit it off… 19 years later we are married, have two girls, two cats and we both work in the arts and cultural sector in Edinburgh. I would just like to say thank you to the Fringe for positively changing my life.” Sharon May
“I love the unexpected, the chaos, the anarchy of the Fringe. Trying to find your way through the programme knowing that while you’ll see excellent shows, you’ll always miss other great ones; talking to strangers while queuing up about their favourite performances so far and sharing yours; watching the audience and actors mix … All of this with the dramatic and incredibly beautiful backdrop that is Edinburgh, a perfect place for the festival.” Uta Bretsch
“We have attended the Fringe every year since 1998 and it is something of an obsession for us. So much so that we decided to get married there… in secret.”Richard Brownsecret
“Edinburgh Fringe has been a highlight of our summer since we moved to Edinburgh in 2013, an opportunity for our whole family to indulge in culture and the arts together, to dip our toes into new experiences and deep dive into some familiar favourites. Come rain or shine, we pack our rucksacks and disappear into the crowd and into another world of magic and endless possibilities.” Julia Whitaker
“It’s just great being part of it; it’s the biggest arts event in the world. It’s the only place to be in August – the two years I didn’t go at all, I just felt like my friends were having a big party and I decided not to go. I would feel like I was in the wrong place, not being in Edinburgh.” Arthur Smith
“This year will be our 20th visit since first coming up to see our son in a college production. Every time is magical, trying to take in as many diverse shows as we can.”Merlyn Anne Goudie
“There is no place in the world like Edinburgh Fringe in August. The energy is fantastic and you feel alive doing what you love, during the height of summer.”Clare Harrison Mccartney
“To this day I have met lifelong friends and some of the most inspirational people at the Edinburgh Fringe having participated in more than 10 Fringes. The Fringe tests your resolve, your patience, your abilities and your energy. Yet it also rewards you with an amazing experience that will forever leave a mark on your soul.”Paul Perez
Shona McCarthy, CEO of the Edinburgh Festival Fringe Society, said: “It has been an absolute joy to read memories from audiences and artists from across the years, and it is testament to the resilience of this great festival, and all those who have played a part in building it, that it is celebrating its 75th anniversary this year.
“The stories that have been shared with our team highlight the impact the Fringe can have on inspiring young people, captivating audiences, and being the place to be every August.
“From childhood memories, to the transformational affect the festival has had on artist careers, we thank each person for taking the time to share their favourite Fringe memory.”
We encourage the public, and those performing at this year’s Fringe to share their own memory on social media and tag it #FringeMoments.
We are delighted to announce the participants of Satellites Programme 2022 following our open call and selection process earlier this spring.
Satellites is Collective’s development programme for emergent creative practitioners based in Scotland and lies at the core of our mission and creative vision. We aim to support participants to better understand and navigate the sector; equipping them to sustain a creative practice and foster criticality through peer development and reflection.
This year’s practitioners were selected by artist Rabiya Choudhry, curator Sara Greavu, and writer and artist Jeda Pearl:
Thomas is a Glasgow-based artist and curator. His work often focuses on complex questions concerning gender, race, sexuality and class, and centres around the challenging of societal power structures. Recent projects include The School of Abolition; You’re Never Done, and the Glasgow Seed Library.
Kaya is a multi-disciplinary artist based in Perth. Kaya works with analogue photography, film, writing and sound to explore the rose-tinted memories of working-class upbringings – her own included. Kaya has worked with Creative Dundee on the Full Picture commissions and held the position of Socially Engaged Artist in Residence 2021 at Mount Stuart, Isle of Bute.
Matthew is a Glasgow-based artist who creates succulent and vibrantly coloured sculptures, drawings and paintings concerned with the ideologies of nature. He also explores the relationship between plastic and queerness. Recent exhibitions and events include Shocked Quartz, Ugly Duck, London (2022); First Outing, Abingdon Studios, Blackpool (2021), and Air Diving, 16 Nicholson Street, Glasgow (2021).
Rabindranath X Bhose is an artist and writer based in Glasgow. He graduated from the School of the Damned D.I.Y. MFA in 2019. His work centres around sacred transness, spiritual transformation, and (healing from) trauma. Recent projects include In Touch, Embassy Gallery (2021) and group show Platform: 2020, Edinburgh Art Festival (2020).
We are excited to support these practitioners over the coming months. Some of the new works produced will be presented as public events, exhibitions, publications and workshops: watch this space!
Collective is delighted to present Acts of Observation, a group show by artists and writers Ana García Jácome, Jeda Pearl Lewis, Abi Palmer and Simon Yuill. The new exhibition spans our entire site and is presented as a series of solo presentations, or ‘acts’, throughout our different buildings, spaces, and online.
Dynamic in form and content, the artists brought together present a diverse range of works including film, interactive installation, writing and architectural interventions.
Acts of Observation directly questions, contextualises and challenges how we negotiate institutional language and spaces, and how disability is represented. The participating artists articulate and politicise notions of recovery and offer visions of positive, inclusive futures.
Artworks on display include: interactive installation Crip Casino by Abi Palmer, where absurdist poetic diagnoses are delivered by the spirit of Elvis reimagined as a medical practitioner; two film works by Ana García Jácome – It’s Like She Had Never Existed and The [ ] History of Disability in Mexico, new poetry by Jeda Pearl which questions how we are observed and which bodies are seen as sublime; and a new text work by Simon Yuill, expanding the text works produced for the artist manifesto Not Going Back to Normal.
Join us on Saturday 25 September, 2 – 4pm, to celebrate the opening of the exhibition, including a live poetry reading by Jeda Pearl Lewis. This is an open event and all are welcome.
Much of the event will take place outdoors in our new ‘Play Shelter’ so please dress for the weather! Numbers inside the exhibition spaces will be monitored in line with social distancing advice so a short wait may be required.
Please RSVP by booking a free ticket on Eventbrite.
Edinburgh Art Festival 2021 closed on Sunday 29 August, following an extremely successful return which saw the month-long programme of 35+ exhibitions programmed in partnership with the city’s visual art community secure hugely enthusiastic responses from audiences and critics alike.
Following cancellation of the 2020 edition as a result of the global pandemic, the 2021 edition returned to showcase Edinburgh’s vibrant year-round visual arts scene, with a programme which included major new commissions and premieres by leading Scottish, UK and international artists alongside support for early career artists.
Taking place at over 25 venues across the city, the programme also included a special programme of online events and presentations.
While the 17th edition of the festival has now drawn to a close, a selection of participating exhibitions across the capital continue their run into September and beyond, including the acclaimed Lessons of the Hour, from artist Isaac Julien, presented by the festival in partnership with National Galleries of Scotland – with its UK premiere continuing at Modern One until 10 October.
Sorcha Carey, Director of Edinburgh Art Festival said: ‘It felt so important to return this year, to play our part in supporting Scotland’s creative ecosystem after an exceptionally challenging time, as well as to offer a vital space for reflection, following the upheavals of the past year.
“The drive to make and enjoy art is something which, to paraphrase Frederick Douglass, is uniquely human – and as we come back together following long periods of isolation, separation, and uncertainty, it has been wonderful to cast a spotlight on this most human of activities.
“Throughout, our focus has been to find ways to safely reunite art with audiences, and while this has meant that festival venues have, of necessity, been welcoming smaller numbers of visitors, we know audiences have really valued the chance to return to galleries, to celebrate the extraordinary community of artists and freelancers on whom our creative ecosystem depends.”
Festival highlights included:
The festival-led programming featured major new commissions and presentations by leading international artists, including the UK & European premiere of Lessons of the Hour by Isaac Julien, a film celebrating the 19th century self-liberated freedom fighter Frederick Douglass, in partnership with National Galleries of Scotland; and two new festival co-commissions, with work by Sean Lynch casting a spotlight on Edinburgh’s public monuments and sculptures, in collaboration with Edinburgh Sculpture Workshop; and a sound installation by Emeka Ogboh with Talbot Rice Gallery at the Burns Monument, responding to the UK’s departure from the European Union.
This year the festival took a new approach, collaborating with Glasgow based artist, film-maker and programmer Tako Taal as Associate Artist who formed a response to the festival’s invitation to reflect on themes and ideas emerging from Isaac Julien’s work by in turn commissioning work by a new generation of artists living and working in Scotland: Chizu Anucha, Sequoia Barnes, Francis Dosoo, Thulani Rachia, Camara Taylor and Matthew Arthur Williams.
The festival’s annual showcase supporting artists in the early stages of their careers to make and present new work returned – with Jessica Higgins, Danny Pagarani, Kirsty Russell and Isabella Widger invited to create new work for Platform: 2021 at Institut français d’Ecosse.
Partner galleries across Edinburgh offered the chance to discover a new generation of artists, including the work of Satellite participant Alison Scott at Collective, Sekai Machache at Stills, Andrew Gannon at Edinburgh Sculpture Workshop and gobscure at Edinburgh Printmakers.
Solo presentations across the capital included Christine Borland at Inverleith House, Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh, Alberta Whittle and Rachel Maclean at Jupiter Artland, Frank Walter at Ingleby Gallery, Ian Hamilton Finlay at The City Art Centre, Sonia Mehra Chawla at Edinburgh Printmakers, Jock McFadyen at Dovecot Studios, a major exhibition by the artist Karla Black for the newly developed and reopened Fruitmarket and Alison Watt at Scottish National Portrait Gallery.
This year’s edition also featured important retrospectives and major survey shows including The Galloway Hoard: Viking-age Treasure at National Museum of Scotland, Victoria & Albert: Our Lives in Watercolour at The Queen’s Gallery and Archie Brennan at Dovecot Studios.
Edinburgh’s commercial galleries presented a richly diverse offering including a new group show from Arusha Gallery and Ella Walker, Shaun Fraser and Will Maclean at The Fine Art Society, Leon Morrocco at Open Eye Gallery and the centenary of the birth of Joan Eardley, marked with an extensive new show at The Scottish Gallery.
Alongside exhibitions across the capital, this year saw the return of Art Late, the festival’s celebrated evening culture-crawls across the programme featuring exhibition tours, artist talks, workshops and unique performances, now digitally reimagined to allow wider audiences to engage with the festival.
The online programme also presented a series of Artist in-conversation events, with Isaac Julien, Sean Lynch, Emeka Ogboh and Associate Artist Tako Taal and the project’s invited artists, each discussing their work – all of which can still be watched on our website through our Event Archive.
For more information, please visit www.edinburghartfestival.com or follow the festival on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram @EdArtFest #EdArtFest.
After an extraordinary 25 days, the 2021 Edinburgh Festival Fringe has drawn to a close, having brought artists, arts industry, media and audiences together once again to celebrate the magic of live performance.
This year, the Fringe looked very different. For the first time, audiences were able to engage with work both online and in-person, with performers, creators and producers embracing new ways to keep performance in our hearts and minds.
Shows happened in car parks, racecourses, tents and forests. There were brave new works-in-progress; exciting revivals; reimagined classics; solo shows; family-friendly shows; international showcases; sketch shows; interactive digital works; outdoor site-specific shows; walking tours; immersive experiences and late-night, mixed-bill, laugh-a-minute shows.
Some performers took the stage for the first time in 18 months, while others used the festival as a way of reconnecting with fellow artists and industry professionals.
There was support for arts professionals in new ways – with Fringe Connect offering a professional development, workshop and networking space for artists and industry, and Fringe Marketplace providing a digital platform to showcase export ready professional work from across the Fringe to delegates from around the world.
Our Street Events programme looked different, but was just as joy-filled as always, with everything from magic to live music happening in safe, managed locations from West Parliament Square to the Mound.
Street performers also went into communities across Edinburgh, while the Fringe Society worked with over 30 charities and community groups to distribute Fringe vouchers and Lothian bus tickets to give people the opportunity to experience the Fringe either in person or online.
The Fringe Society continued its commitment to accessibility. There was BSL interpretation of the street events at West Parliament Square, and a bespoke access bookings service on offer for customers who require it.
This Fringe was also a big step forward for sustainability. More performers marketed their shows digitally, through QR codes, social media and more. Our online strand meant less travel and a reduced carbon footprint for some participating artists, audiences and industry, extending our global reach even further.
We also strengthened the Fringe’s place in our local community. This year, over a third of audiences were from Edinburgh, and a further 17% were from the rest of Scotland. 44% were from the wider United Kingdom. Artists and creatives local to Scotland also added their stories to stages and screens in greater proportions than we have seen in recent years.
But that didn’t happen at the expense of the festival’s founding open access principle. 38 countries were represented on the Fringe this year, with work from nine countries featured as part of international showcases taking place. There was also increased international representation in proportion to the overall programme.
Commenting on this year’s festival, Shona McCarthy, Chief Executive, Edinburgh Festival Fringe Society, said: “Traditionally, this day in the Fringe calendar is all about statistics: how many shows took place, how many tickets were bought, and what that means.
“But this year, I’d like to stop defining success by scale. For me, that’s never been what makes the Fringe special. Success should be defined by the quality of experience we’ve all had – and what we’re hearing from performers and audiences alike is that this year’s Fringe has been hugely successful indeed.
“When registration opened in May, we had no way of knowing for sure what this summer would look like. Today, we celebrate every single show that has been brought to life. I’d like to personally thank and congratulate everyone that made it happen, as well as our audiences, sponsors and supporters who have cheered us on and offered much-needed support through this wild and unexpected year.
“We’ve still got work to do to ensure the Fringe recovers – but recovery isn’t about growth in the statistical sense. It’s about growth as a Fringe community. As we move forward with our Save the Fringe campaign and continue to champion this festival and the wider arts, we’ll be calling on everyone to help us shape what the future of this fantastic festival holds.”
Benny Higgins, Chair, Edinburgh Festival Fringe Society, said: “I’d like to offer huge congratulations to everyone that made this festival happen in the most challenging of circumstances.
“I’ve been blown away by the commitment, creativity and talent of those that have worked tirelessly to bring the magic of the Fringe back to Edinburgh’s streets – and for the first time – to screens around the world.
“As we look to the Fringe’s 75th anniversary in 2022, I am looking forward to being part of a wider conversation about how we make this festival the very best version of itself. This year proved that a small amount of public sector investment can bring about positive change, and it’s crucial that investment in this hugely important festival continues. The Fringe has a big role to play in our recovery, and as we look to build a renaissance for the Fringe in the future, we’ll keep working to support those that make it happen.”
Barbara Smith, Managing Director of Johnnie Walker Princes Street, said: “It’s been a fantastic month, seeing the phased return of the Edinburgh Festival Fringe and seeing Edinburgh locals and visitors get to enjoy what Edinburgh does best.
“As official whisky of the Edinburgh Festival Fringe, Johnnie Walker has celebrated the month with our residence ‘The Fringe Club’ on The Mound throughout the festival and gifting lucky festival-goers with exclusive prizes. We’ve our eyes firmly on the future, opening our doors to Johnnie Walker Princes Street on 6 September and joining in the celebrations once again in 2022.”
Next year’s Edinburgh Festival Fringe will run from 05 – 29 August 2022. It will mark the 75th anniversary of the festival.
SPONSORS and SUPPORTERS
As a charity, the work of the Edinburgh Festival Fringe Society would not be possible without the valuable support of our partners, sponsors and funders.
We are delighted to be working with Johnnie Walker for the third year running as our official whisky partner.
We are proud to be partnering with the newly opened St James Quarter and are excited to be working with them this year and beyond.
We are excited to be partnering with Crowdfunder again through our FringeMakers fundraising platform, supporting Fringe artists and venues with vital fundraising efforts.
We have teamed up with Rare Birds Books to a create a limited-edition book bundle with books selected by the women behind three of the Fringe’s most iconic venues; Rowan Campbell, the General Manager of Summerhall, Dani Rae, the General Manager of Assembly and Katy Koren, who co-runs Gilded Balloon. Proceeds of the sale of this bundle will support go directly to supporting Fringe artists bring work to the Fringe.
We would also like to thank Lothian Buses for their continued support of our Fringe Days Out programme.
We’re thrilled to welcome Edinburgh Gin on board as Official Gin of the Fringe and look forward to working with them.
We are grateful for funding through the PLACE Programme, a partnership between the Scottish Government -through Creative Scotland -the City of Edinburgh Council and Festivals Edinburgh; Scottish Government for Made in Scotland through the Festivals Expo Fund – managed through Creative Scotland – and the continued support of the City of Edinburgh Council. Thanks also to Scottish Government for funds from their Get into Summer campaign.
We are grateful for funding from the Pivotal Event Business Fund, the SCVO Adapt and Thrive programme, the Foyle Foundation and the UK Government to enhance our digital capabilities.
Our thanks also to the Paul Hamlyn Foundation, the Pump House Trust and the Turtleton Charitable Trust.
With thanks to EventScotland and City of Edinburgh Council for supporting Street Events.
Thank you to Brightcove, our streaming partners, for their support in delivering the Fringe Player.
Our thanks also to our Fringe Angels, Patrons, Friends and supporters whose passion and generosity made a real difference this year.
Musicians, bands, artists and venues will be able to apply to a £750,000 Scottish Government fund to bring new and additional concerts to venues and festivals in Scotland next year.
Scotland on Tour will support the staging of concerts across the whole nation from between January 2022 and January 2023.
Funded by Scottish Government and organised by Active Events, its decision-making panel includes representatives from across the music industry, as well as Creative Scotland, Scottish Enterprise, Highlands and Islands Enterprise, XpoNorth and South of Scotland Enterprise.
Participating artists, venues and festivals will be announced later this year.
Culture Minister Jenny Gilruth said: “Due to the impact of COVID-19, I know many concerts from 2020 and 2021 have been postponed – leaving little opportunity for artists to perform new concerts in traditional venues or concert halls up until late 2022, or even spring 2023.
“So I am very pleased to announce Scotland on Tour, a fund to help artists, venues and the wider music industry by creating new concert opportunities across Scotland next year.
“The fund is not only an exciting opportunity for artists and venues, but also for Scottish audiences, who will have the chance to see the best of Scottish music right on their doorstep.”
Director of Active Events Lisa Whytock said: “The past 18 months have been exceptionally challenging for musicians and promoters around Scotland.
“This fund will allow new concerts from professional musicians to take place across the country, bringing world class performances to cities, towns and local communities whilst simultaneously supporting production companies and skilled freelancers in their delivery.
“We are extremely excited about the project and would like to wholeheartedly thank the Scottish Government for their investment.”
Head of Music at Creative Scotland, Alan Morrison, said: “At the height of the pandemic, Active Events applied to Creative Scotland’s Open Fund for a research project that would identify community partners and increase touring opportunities for musicians when restrictions finally lifted.
“This bold vision for recovery has blossomed into a new touring fund, supported by the Scottish Government, that will breathe life back into the live music sector across the entire country.
“It’s extremely encouraging to see how a seed that was sown in darker times is growing into a major year-long programme that will bring music fans and professional artists of all genres back together again.”
Further details will be announced soon as to how artists and venues can apply to the Scotland on Tour fund, which is expected to open for applications in October.
Registrations of interest to the fund can be recorded by sending an emailto info@scotlandontour.com
