Fringe Festival funding finalised

Mariya Semenova and Keir Russell (at right), of Steampunk performance act Firebugs, head a colourful group of Dunedin Fringe characters yesterday at the Crown Mill, which will host the comedy club during the 2013 festival. Photo by Craig Baxter.

The Dunedin Fringe Festival has allocated more than $20,000 artist funding for next year's festival.

"This funding gives the artists the confidence and support they need to make their event happen," festival director Paul Smith said yesterday.

"It will result in 10 world premiere events and a host of completely new events from outside Dunedin. We will have more than 50 events, featuring over 300 artists, from New Zealand and around the world and we can't wait to bring this to Dunedin audiences."

The $25,000 Creative New Zealand pot is for developing new works and covering travelling costs for performers from outside Dunedin.

The funded artists received $20,000, $2500 went to grant administration and $2500 would be used to help artists develop individual marketing plans, Mr Smith said.

"We have found that many artists need support with their marketing and so we have used some of the funding from Creative New Zealand to assist in this area. The ultimate goal is to increase audiences."

There had been 28 applications for funding seeking $56,328.

There were 46 registered artist events in the 2013 programme, Mr Smith said, comprising 28 Dunedin acts and 18 from around New Zealand and the world.

"There are some fantastic events from Dunedin and several international guests, including a dance show from Spain and a theatre group from Russia."

The 2013 Dunedin Fringe Festival is on from March 14 to 24.

• Funding recipients (Dunedin unless stated otherwise): Discharge ($800), Ad Hoc Productions ($2000), Pretty Gay Productions ($800), Black Sheep Productions, Auckland ($1200), Metonymic Trust ($3500), Song Sale ($400), The Notional Theatre Company, Christchurch ($1500), Aliza Yair and Miriam Marler ($500), Indigenous Theatre Group, Auckland ($2000), My Accomplice, Wellington ($2000), Porcelain Punch, Melbourne, ($2500), Binge Culture, Wellington ($600), Blue Black and Desi Liversage ($600), Senorita Awesumo ($1000) and James Bellaney ($600).

nigel.benson@odt.co.nz