Edinburgh Fringe set for major funding boost ahead of 80th anniversary

THE Edinburgh Festival Fringe has been given a major funding boost by the Scottish Government ahead of its 80th anniversary in 2027. The Fringe Society, the organisation behind the festival, will receive £500,000 to support various projects, including the creation of a new website and improvements to its digital infrastructure. It will also be used to increase the reach of the festival overseas, hoping to attract tourists to Edinburgh. READ MORE: Scottish Greens pledge pay rise for social care staff Deputy First Minister Kate Forbes said: "The Scottish Government has an ongoing commitment to safeguard the future of the Edinburgh Fringe and support it to flourish, built on the principle of free access for all. “As one of Scotland’s signature events the Fringe has grown to become the world’s largest performing arts festival – a major economic contributor to Edinburgh, and Scotland as a whole, and one of our country’s most significant national and international cultural assets. “As we approach the 80th anniversary of the Fringe next year, this investment will provide a foundation to expand its global reach and the ongoing work with organisations who play an important role in making the Fringe the annual success it is - in particularly collective efforts focused on long term sustainability to both the Fringe Society and the Fringe as a whole.” Tony Lankester, chief executive of the Edinburgh Festival Fringe Society said: "The ongoing support for the work of the Fringe Society from the Scottish Government will go a long way to shoring up our resilience and builds on their previous investment. "The Society’s work in future-proofing the Fringe with world-class digital and data infrastructure is a critical imperative – with this foundation, these ambitions can be more readily realised and the future more secure. "We’ve made giant strides over the last year and this announcement helps us build on that work, delivering even more for the Fringe community, ensuring the festival remains a jewel in Scotland’s creative crown." While the funding will help to fund the festival, The Herald reports that it cannot be used to restore the "Keep it Fringe Fund", which has supported hundreds of acts since being set up by Fleabag star Phoebe Waller-Bridge in 2023. Lankester added: "In order for the Keep It Fringe Fund or the Fringe itself to succeed, the Fringe Society needs to be resilient and needs to work. "Specific funding and support for artists comes through Creative Scotland. This £500,000 is not coming from Creative Scotland, it is coming from the Scottish Government and it is specifically earmarked for the Fringe Society and its projects." READ MORE: Scottish quarry expansion could be delayed as campaigners target protected status He told The Herald: "There is obviously demand for the Keep It Fringe Fund. We know how important it is. In a way, it is a victim of its own success. "We know there is a big difference this year from previous years. It is not where we would want it to be. "It about how we build it up and put things in place to ensure it is in a better place from 2027 onwards to address some of that need. "I don't think it is ever going to be big enough to help everyone who wants to come to the Fringe. "But we want to keep it going. The principles behind it is strong, the application process is good and we know it is needed."