12 Dec 2024
Earlier this year, the Dunedin Fringe Festival marked its 24th year with an 11-day multidisciplinary celebration of the arts. Embracing an open access kaupapa, the festival welcomed artists of all backgrounds to showcase their work, regardless of experience or reputation.
This inclusive approach offered seasoned artists the opportunity to test new ideas while providing a supportive environment for emerging talent to explore and establish their artistic identities. The festival is the largest art festival in the South Island.
The 2024 festival featured 79 events, with over half the work newly created for the festival. Half the performers were making their debut performance in the Fringe. The total audience was up 10 percent on the previous year at 15,230 and ticket sales generated $141,715 in income for artists, a 41 percent increase from the previous year.
“This year’s festival is a testament to the incredible creativity and talent of our arts community. We’re thrilled to see such strong audience engagement and support for our artists, and the economic and cultural impact speaks to the importance of providing accessible platforms for practitioners and audiences,” says Ruth Harvey, Co-Director and Development and Strategic Relationships Manager.
Ticket accessibility remained a priority, with 94 percent priced at $25 or less as well as 16 free events, ensuring that art remained within reach of the broader community. The economic impact of the event was significant, generating at least $1.2 million for the local economy. For every dollar invested, the festival returned five dollars.
“With the help of sponsors, stakeholders, volunteers, and artists, we’ve remained steadfast in our commitment to providing a space where art, culture, and community can come together,” Ruth says.
This year’s event also introduced new initiatives, including the inaugural Māori Artist Grants, which supported four Māori-led projects. As a result, artists treated audiences to kapa haka, reo, waiata, and more.
The Creative New Zealand’s Pacific Arts Strategy Fringe Festival Initiative also supported four Pasifika artists, enabling them to showcase their work to broader audiences and network with fellow creatives.
Ōtepoti-based artist Ana Teofilo made her festival debut this year, earning recognition as the winner of three Fringe Art Awards.
The partnership with Dunedin Pride continued during Pride Month, with shared spaces supporting inclusive programming. Events like the drag show SoliloQueens (+ Kings) were a hit, selling out at the Fringe-run venue Te Whare o Rukutia.
Additionally, the festival championed youth engagement through the Stand Up Stand Out Comedy School for Teens. Eight participants received mentoring from national and international comedians, spotlighting the voices of the next generation.
The Dunedin Fringe Festival is a recipient of the Festival Fund, a one-off grant from Manatū Taonga Ministry of Culture and Heritage's Arts and Culture COVID Recovery Programme, supporting the arts in response to the ongoing impacts of COVID-19 in 2023.
Find out more about the Festival Fund on our website
The festival will mark its 25th anniversary next year.
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