Fringe World Festival: City of Perth to add $100,000 to coffers in bid to keep event

FRINGE World Festival looks certain to receive $100,000 from the City of Perth for the 2017 Festival in a bid to deter other local governments from poaching the popular event.

The City’s Sponsorship Committee voted to recommend Council approve the sponsorship package for the Artrage Inc-run festival to be held 20 January to 19 February.

The $100,000 is an increase on last year and, according to City staff, allows the City to “elevate its relationship with Artrage Inc. to a more prominent level” and provide the City “with a stronger voice within future event negotiations and decisions”.

The Committee noted there was ongoing interest from other local governments to be involved with FRINGE World Festival, such is the popularity of the event, and staff advised that the City’s increased sponsorship contribution would help ensure the “overwhelming majority of content will be delivered within the City of Perth boundaries”.

While Artrage receives a combination of cash and in-kind support from the City, the organisation is charged a range of fees including site hire, venue hire, reparation costs and fees for permits, which are included in the overall budget.

Perth Council next meets on 11 October.