Who We Are and What We Do
OUR MISSION
FringeArts commissions, develops, and presents a range of high-quality contemporary performance, to:
- Support the artists (local, national & international) who create this work;
- Challenge, stimulate, entertain, and educate the diverse audiences who see that work;
- Provide opportunities for—and investment in Philadelphia–based artists in such a way as to lead to the continued growth and health of the local and regional performing arts community;
- Engage fully in the global dialogue and global community surrounding this kind of work.
FringeArts presents the world's most cutting-edge, high-quality artists, amplifying the vibrancy of Philadelphia as a renowned cultural destination and an unparalleled place to live, work, and visit. FringeArts experiences are entertaining, intellectually challenging, provocative, and moving.
"I love the spontaneity and uniqueness of the art and entertainment that is offered. You can’t have any more fun anywhere else!"
— Deborah Oliver, FringeArts supporter and attendee
"It’s my favorite three weeks in Philadelphia!"
— Alec Rubin, FringeArts attendee
"The best international Festival in the country"
— Dan Rothenberg, Artistic Director and Founder, Pig Iron Theatre Company
A culmination of the provocative contemporary work that FringeArts presents year-round, the Festival serves as a platform for local, national, and international artists of all disciplines and all levels of achievement.
For 16 days every September, the annual Festival creates a cityscape filled with theater, dance, music, visual art, and everything in-between. Audiences enjoy nonstop, creative cultural experiences, artists develop their artistic visions in total freedom without any curatorial barriers from bringing that work to avid audiences, and our community is enriched as art takes over our neighborhoods, animating the spaces of our city — from traditional theaters to corner bars and vacant storefronts.
"For me, Fringe equals risk, as a creator and a watcher. So much of the work in both the Live Arts Festival and Philly Fringe has this kind of once-in-a-lifetime feel to it"
— Adrienne Mackey, LAB Fellow and Co-Artistic Director of Swim Pony
Click here to view an analysis of our Economic Impact in 2012.
The 2013 Festival will take place September 5 - 22, 2013.
"The Live Arts Festival brings phenomenal programming to Philadelphia, giving us the opportunity to witness some of the most interesting work in the world. It’s an incredible time to be an artist — watching work produced by and within your community alongside international groundbreaking pieces. Often, the Live Arts Festival is the first place I’m able to see new work from my favorite artists. I’m very grateful for Live Arts’ increasing investment in audience development, performance-lectures, and artistic and production residencies. As a LAB fellow, I am now being directly introduced to many brilliant and experienced mentors who have a connection to our city through Live Arts"
— Greg Holt, LAB Fellow and member of the Green Chair Dance Company
In 2010 the Lab was founded. A laboratory for research and development, the Lab operates year-round to support artistic research, experimentation, and exploration of contemporary theater, dance, and cross-genre live performance work. Through the Lab program, at least five artists are selected annually to engage in a nine-month residency Fellowship during which the artists may develop new works, interact and collaborate with fellow artists, and engage in critical dialogue and thought about new ideas in contemporary live performance. Each Lab Fellow is given use of FringeArts’ state-of-the-art studio facility in Northern Liberties for a minimum of six weeks time during their Fellowship year. In addition, a curriculum designed to underscore artistic creative processes is explored, including organized peer meetings, work-in-progress showings, critiques by visiting artists, at least one presentation in the monthly Scratch Night series, and opportunities for Lab Fellows to mentor students from local universities. In addition to free studio time and the ongoing curriculum, thanks to the support of the Independence Foundation, Kresge Foundation, and PNC Arts Alive, Lab Fellows receive a stipend of $5,000.
Click here for full details on the Lab Program and its Fellows.
