We are delighted to share the news that the Scottish Government has awarded the Fringe Society £300,000 in 2025-2026. The funding is intended to help grow the significant benefits the Fringe delivers for Scotland’s economy, society and culture sector.
The funding will enable work in two areas agreed between the Scottish Government and the Fringe Society:
- It will support the Fringe Society's ongoing Digital Transformation strategy, an ambitious multi-year project that will modernise the core digital architecture of the Fringe and enable us to explore shared data and insights, ensuring that everyone who chooses to take part in the Fringe – audience, artist or venue – can realise their ambitions and potential at the festival.
- Together with Scottish Government, we will explore how the Fringe can help Scottish artists (and the sector as a whole) make the most of international opportunities, by focusing on agreed priority countries and regions that offer strong routes to market and creative trade.
Deputy First Minister and Economy Secretary Kate Forbes said: ‘The Fringe is one of Scotland’s signature events. From humble beginnings in 1947, it has grown to become the world’s largest performing arts festival, making it a significant economic contributor to Edinburgh, and Scotland as a whole.
‘This agreement recognises firstly, that the Fringe Society does not neatly fit into the funding streams available to other culture organisations. Secondly, that there is ample opportunity for the Fringe Society to work more closely with all the other organisations who play an important role in making the Fringe the annual success that it is.
‘The Scottish Government is committed to working with the Fringe Society and all partners who deliver it to help safeguard the future of the Edinburgh Fringe as a world-leading cultural asset, built on the principle of free access for all.’
Shona McCarthy, Chief Executive of the Edinburgh Festival Fringe Society, said: ‘We welcome this new funding and thank the Scottish Government for recognising the unique position that the Fringe Society has. This will undoubtedly contribute greatly to Scotland’s economy, society and culture sector and we hope that this is a first step towards long-term funding for the Fringe Society.
‘It is vital that the Fringe Society can continue to provide much needed core services to the thousands of artists who come to the festival every year and who recognise it as a global marketplace and expo. A sustainable Fringe Society can use its convening role to unlock support for the wider Fringe from the imminent visitor levy.
‘We look forward to working with Kate Forbes and the Scottish Government on developing a long-term sustainable funding model, and welcome this investment into both digital infrastructure and international opportunities.’
While we welcome this funding and appreciate the Scottish Government’s recognition of the Fringe’s significance, the Fringe Society still faces considerable financial challenges. We will continue working to secure support from a range of sources to ensure the long-term sustainability of the Society and the vital services we provide to artists, venues and the wider Fringe ecosystem.
