Fringe Mount Gambier organisers have announced their disappointment the 2025 festival has been scrapped.
The group had applied for $50,000 in funding plus $14,000 in-kind support from the Mount Gambier City Council, however that application was unsuccessful, with the event instead being allocated $5000 after amending its application.
The team behind Fringe issued a statement last week to regretfully announce the festival planned for March 2025 would not proceed.
“This reluctant decision was made due to uncertainty and prolonged processes surrounding our major sponsorship request to City of Mount Gambier for the festival and FRiNGELAND,” the organisers said.
“It is crucial that major funding be confirmed with time to plan and deliver the festival to the high standard we all expect and enjoy.
“As a group of community volunteers we work passionately to deliver Fringe Mount Gambier each year and despite this setback, we will continue to support artists, venues and events in the region and provide audiences with exciting art experiences.”
Organisers said, although the 2025 festival would not proceed, they remain hopeful to still deliver the festival’s Fringe Outreach project which brings quality arts experiences directly to those who face significant challenges in accessing the arts.
“An amended sponsorship request has been approved by City of Mount Gambier to support Fringe Outreach. We appreciate this support from our long term funding partner to enable this project to continue,” organisers said.
City Council Economy, Strategy and Engagement manager Biddie Shearing tabled a report at council’s November monthly meeting.
Fringe Mount Gambier had applied for funding through Round One of council’s Grants and Sponsorship Process, which closed on August 2.
“The Grants and Sponsorship assessment panel met on 19 August, 27 August and 30 August 2024 to assess the applications,” the report read.
“All applications were assessed across three assessment panel meetings using an evaluation matrix and based on the selection criteria provided in the Grants and Sponsorships Program Guidelines.”
Of the 40 applications, 28 were determined to be successful.
However, four applications resulted in an undetermined outcome – one of those being Fringe Mount Gambier.
Council had since requested further information from Fringe Mount Gambier regarding their application.
“Initial additional information requested was received on the evening of October 30.
“A further revised application and budget were submitted on November 11, that outlines a reduced format of Fringe Mount Gambier for 2025 as the committee develops the 2026 program.
“The budget provided does differ substantially in terms of overall sponsorship from all funding sources and notes the other unconfirmed funding sources.”
Council also requested the committee brief council with a 3-5year business plan and event sustainability.
In its amended proposal to council, Fringe Mount Gambier said the festival experienced considerable growth and success towards increasing arts participation in the community.
The Fringe Mount Gambier provided four unique festival opportunities at past events, including FRiNGELAND (or Fringe Laneways in 2024), Open Access, Fringe Up! and Fringe Outreach.
However, the committee said the changed timeline for its key sponsorship outcome and uncertainty over critical funding forced them to postpone Fringe Mount Gambier – 2025, in its full format, until 2026.
While FRiNGELAND, Fringe UP and the Open Access program were already announced as no longer possible, the committee hoped that Fringe OUTREACH could have proceeded in 2025.
“The key aim of Fringe OUTREACH is where we take Fringe artists and activation to vulnerable community members, including positive-aged, those living with disability, those experiencing homelessness, foster families, and some of our smallest regional schools in the area,” the committee stated.
“Fringe OUTREACH was introduced in 2021 and has grown significantly each year, as community awareness and demand increased.
Fringe OUTREACH has previously received funding support through Festivals Australia and the Stand Like Stone Foundation, which the committee said had been pivotal in establishing and expanding the program.
“Since its launch in 2017, the festival has engaged large audiences, totalling over 12,000 in 2023, when FRiNGELAND was last held, and almost 8000 in 2024 with the FRiNGE Laneways series.”
Fringe Mount Gambier’s work with more than 1500 artists across 241 events earned them a top three nomination for ‘Outstanding Regional Event or Project’ at SA’s 2023 Ruby Awards.
“We thank the community, artists, venues and funding partners and all those who have played a role in embedding the acclaimed Fringe Mount Gambier festival into our community; your continuous support and our collective passion drives us forward.
“We look forward to celebrating the eighth Fringe Mount Gambier festival with you in 2026.”
