Summerhall Fringe 2020
This year, we were excited to celebrate our 10th Fringe with you, our audiences. In August we would have welcomed you to another brilliant programme of new performance, innovative theatre and dance, live music and visual art, as well as to the buzz and creativity to be found in our vibrant courtyard.
But of course, Fringe isn't happening this year and while we are slowly reopening our beer garden and hope to have some small events happening later this summer, the loss of this year's Fringe leaves a huge gap in our year round programme. And of course it will have a massive impact on our financial security.
Our Edinburgh Festival Fringe programme usually generates over 50% of our annual income, amounting to around £1.8 million every year.
The surplus from each year’s Fringe goes into planning, programming and producing the next year’s. Without this money we are faced with difficult decisions about how to move forwards with Fringe 2021.
While we hope that the recently announced government support for venues will help offset some of this loss of income, we are still waiting for information about how much funding we might be able to apply for, or when we might receive any support.
Which is why Summerhall is asking for your help to build back better, to create a better, fairer and more sustainable Fringe.
Our Story
As a privately owned Arts Venue with no public funding, Covid-19 has effectively reduced our year-round sources of income to zero.
On 29th April we launched a crowdfunding campaign through Music Venue Trust’s #SaveOurVenues campaign, raising a total of £27,276. These funds have been vital in buying us time and ensuring we have been able to survive over the last three months, and we are so grateful to our incredibly generous donors.
However, with no sign of when venues may be able to reopen at their normal capacities, it has become clear to us that (like many arts organisations in Edinburgh, Scotland, and the UK) the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic is going to have a serious effect on our ability to operate as an arts venue for the foreseeable future.
We are asking for your support to future-proof Summerhall’s Edinburgh Festival Fringe programme, and to create a fund to support artists and performers when they return after a financially devastating year.
How can you help Summerhall?
Any amount you can spare, the cost of a Fringe ticket or a pint in The Royal Dick, will go directly towards helping us ensure that we can start planning for Fringe 2021.
We have a series of reward options to suit every pocket, and of course you can just choose to donate, any amount that you are able to. Every single pound is hugely appreciated!
Where will the funds go?
25% of all funds received through this Crowdfunder campaign will be ringfenced to create a series of £5,000 bursaries for artists. Each bursary will support a different artist or group to perform at Summerhall during Edinburgh Festival Fringe 2021, assisting in the costs of production, travel, accommodation, and other overheads. We will use the bursaries to enable artists who are currently under-represented at the Fringe to take up the opportunity of presenting their work at Summerhall, building on our existing Autopsy and Eclipse Awards.
The remaining 75% of funds will be used to create a Fringe programme for 2021, improve our facilities for artists and performers, and support Summerhall’s fixed costs until we are able to reopen fully.
Thank You!
We know that 2020 has been a tough year for everyone, and that there is a lot of fundraising and asking for support happening right now. So please only give what you can and if a donation isn't possible for you a share on socials or forwarding the link to your mum is just as valuable to us!
Photo Credits: Cat Thomson and Mihaela Bodlovic