After five years at the helm of the Dunedin Fringe Arts Trust (DFAT), director Gareth McMillan has stepped down, handing over to an acting co-leadership team.
Kate Schrader and Ruth Harvey move from part-time senior DFAT roles to full-time leadership, while McMillan will take up a new role in the tourism sector.
Mr McMillan thanked everyone who had made his service "such an incredible experience."
"I’ll miss all the artists, volunteers, production peeps and our myriad of supporters, but I know I leave blessed with a multitude of friendships that I carry with me," he said.
DFAT board member Sian Findlay said the board was "very sorry to see Gareth go", and thanked him for his hard work, passion and dedication.
"It is an exciting time at DFAT and we are grateful to Kate and Ruth for stepping in, and excited about the opportunities that a co-leadership model presents," Ms Findlay said.
The DFAT team is currently in pre-production for the 2023 Dunedin Fringe and has aspirations to further develop core programmes including the New Zealand Young Writers Festival, Amped Music Project and White Box gallery in the window of Fringe HQ.
The team is also working on initiatives associated with Te Whare o Rukutia, the city’s new performing arts venue on Princes St.
Ms Schrader and Ms Harvey will oversee the Fringe Festival, then undertake a review of the new model with the DFAT Board.
The trust is running a Boosted crowd funding campaign to raise money for 2023 Fringe Artist Grants that support the development and presentation of work for the Dunedin Fringe Festival.
To give go to boosted.org.nz/projects/dunedin-fringe-festival
