News

Fringe Connect and Fringe Marketplace launch with exciting programme of events. 

We're delighted to announce that we're launching two digital platforms for artists and industry professionals: Fringe Connect and Fringe Marketplace.  

Fringe Connect is an exciting new year-round platform, designed to bring Fringe artists together with peers and members of the arts industry through networking, discussion and events. 

And after a successful pilot year in 2020, Fringe Marketplace is returning in 2021. This dedicated showcase platform aims to connect arts industry delegates all over the world with professional and tour-ready artists at the Fringe. 

Commenting on the launch, Rachel Sanger, Joint Head of Participant Services, Edinburgh Festival Fringe Society said:

“After a year of lockdowns and restrictions, it feels incredibly positive to be launching two platforms today that are rooted in human connections and creative opportunities. 

“The Fringe is one of the most important arts marketplaces in the world, and I’m delighted that we’re able to use these new platforms to bring that aspect of the festival online, finding new ways to support artists and industry as we prepare for a hybrid year of online and in-person performance. I am thrilled that investing in our digital platforms will enable us to widen the benefit of participation in the Fringe to those who are not able to physically be present in Edinburgh – supporting our access and sustainability strategies and ensuring that we are continuing the development of the world’s largest platform for freedom of creative expression.” 

“As the Fringe changes, Fringe Connect and Fringe Marketplace enable us to embrace new opportunities for collaboration, engagement and development of work both during and beyond the festival.  

About Fringe Connect 

Described as ‘part social network, part events space’, Fringe Connect gives users the opportunity to populate their own profile with information about their professional experiences and to find and connect with users with similar interests. 

Registered users will have access to exciting industry news and opportunities, alongside access to year-round digital events aimed at supporting and facilitating professional development.  

A selection of archived recordings from past events will also be made available, as well as resources and information relating to the Fringe and the wider sector.  

During this year's Fringe, approximately 30 digital events will be hosted on the platform in association with partners from across the UK and overseas; all events will feature British Sign Language interpretation, and many will also have live captioning. There will be workshops, panel discussions and networking events with topics covering everything from Marketing 101 with Emma Martin Arts Marketing to UK venues: Routes to reopening and International festivals: How we work now. 

Guests and speakers include Lyn Gardner, Andrew Miller, Amy Conachan, Tarek Iskander, Jo Clifford and Richard Jordan, with many more to be confirmed. 

The Fringe Society is delighted to be partnering for a second year with Something to Aim For: the charity devoted to supporting public health and (re)building social fabric through the creative industries. This partnership will host various artist-focused community-building events for underrepresented and intersectional groups at the Fringe.  

These events will run alongside the ‘Connect On...’ series, designed to facilitate artist and industry connections in a year where many will not physically be in the same location. 

To sign up and find out more about Fringe Connect, visit connect.edfringe.com. 

About Fringe Marketplace

Fringe Marketplace is an online platform created to connect programmers, presenters and commissioners with professional artists and tour-ready work at the Fringe.  

Fringe Marketplace first launched in 2020 as a platform aimed at creating vital opportunities for an industry crippled by Covid-19. This unique platform will showcase tour-ready work from the Fringe year-round, creating onward opportunities for artists and supporting industry to find work that fits their programming specifications.   

The work that will appear on the platform has been selected by Fringe venue programmers and assessed by independent cross-genre industry experts who have programming experience, expertise and the neutrality to constructively engage in the process. 

To access Fringe Connect and Fringe Marketplace, Arts Industry professionals register with the Arts Industry Office. Registration opens today and is available at connect.edfringe.com. Access to Marketplace will be available from 06 August.