The Edinburgh Festival Fringe Society has launched the ‘Keep it Fringe’ fund, a new initiative to support Fringe artists, which is being led by Fringe Society President Phoebe Waller-Bridge.

This fund, supported by the Fleabag for Charity campaign, and funds donated to the Fringe Society through individual donors and our partnership with Edinburgh Gin, will distribute fifty bursaries of £2,000 which will be awarded to individual artists or companies bringing work to the Fringe in 2023. 

The fund sets out to protect artists’ prospects, by removing some of the growing barriers to performing.

Honorary President Phoebe Waller-Bridge said: ‘For a creative, the festival is one of the most unique places on the planet to launch work, meet other artists and be discovered by audiences, agents, producers and the media. For me, today’s announcement is incredibly personal. Edinburgh Fringe gave Fleabag a game-changing platform for everyone involved and we are thrilled that the show can continue to pay-it-forward to the creatives of tomorrow and contribute to those who might not otherwise have the opportunity to take their work to this amazing festival’.

Shona McCarthy, Chief Executive of the Edinburgh Festival Fringe Society said: ‘We recognise how difficult the last few years have been for the cultural sector, and today’s announcement is a very direct way for us to give some support for artists performing at this year’s Fringe. We are massively grateful to Phoebe, and all our donors, for their generosity and ongoing support of the work of the Fringe Society. This fund is a first step in what we hope to be an ongoing opportunity for Fringe artists. We will be actively encouraging new donors and Fringe alumni to work with us through this simple initiative, to get support out quickly and effectively to give someone a stage’.

In June 2022 The Fringe Society launched the Fringe’s Future Development Goals, with new commitments and targets created. Ensuring artists can thrive is key to this work, and today’s announcement will support Fringe artists who face the greatest barriers.  

Applications open at 12 pm on 10 March 2023 and close at 12 pm on 24 March 2023.  Award recipients will be notified around 31 March 2023.  Link to apply here.

Pictured: Edinburgh Festival Fringe Society honorary President Phoebe Waller-Bridge (Lija Jursins, 2022)