Arts Unlimited raises funds to support artists, venues, producers and marginalised communities to participate in Adelaide Fringe. A large portion of the funds are distributed as grants via the Adelaide Fringe Fund, which exists to support bold ideas, elevate diverse voices and encourage innovation. 

Fringe Forward Venue Grant applications for Adelaide Fringe 2025 will close 14 October.

First implemented in 2015, the Adelaide Fringe Fund has distributed more than 500 grants since its inception and is responsible for propelling forward artists such as Gravity & Other Myths, Michaela Burger and Casus Circus, venues like Goodwood Theatre and Studios and Rhino Room, and producers such as Peta Spurling Brown and Joanne Hartstone.

Adelaide Fringe Fund grants are  possible thanks to the generous support of the Government of South Australia and Arts Unlimited donors and supporters.

Fringe Forward Venue Grants

Thanks to the generous support of our Partners, Adelaide Fringe is thrilled to announce two new funding opportunities aimed at supporting our vibrant venue community for the 2025 season.

As our Community Partner, Lumo Energy is offering $10,000 cash grants to assist local venues with vital operational costs, production upgrades and essential renovations. Lumo’s commitment to supporting venues will help ensure they can keep bringing Fringe to life.

The Novatech Arts Innovation Fund, supported by Novatech Creative Event Technology, is designed to foster technological innovation and entrepreneurial creativity within Adelaide Fringe venues. With a combination of cash and in-kind support, this fund will assist emerging venues in taking on ambitious, innovative plans for the 2025 festival.

We are incredibly grateful to Lumo Energy and Novatech Creative Event Technology for their ongoing support.
There are two funding opportunities that venues can apply for:

Lumo Energy Venue Grants

For the 2025 season, Lumo is funding $10,000 cash grants to support local venues.

What will this fund?
The grants are designed to assist with operational costs, staff wages, production upgrades, accessibility and required renovations.

Who can apply?
  • Independent brick and mortar, South Australian owned and operated venues (local, State or Federal Government owned and operated venues will not be eligible)
  • Venues in the Adelaide CBD, metropolitan area, and regional and remote South Australia can all apply for support.
Eligibility
  • Venues must be hosting a minimum of three shows, with at least ten sessions across each week of the 2025 Adelaide Fringe season
  • Venues must be hosting shows across each week of the 2025 Adelaide Fringe season (21 February - 23 March 2025). 

Novatech Arts Innovation Fund

The Novatech Arts Innovation Fund grants will provide five venues with holistic support through a combination of cash and in-kind support across multiple areas.

A total pool of $50,000 cash and $50,000 of in-kind support will be divided amongst the successful applicants. Applicants will be asked to declare the total amount of cash and in-kind support sought, with applicants selecting a funding level between $10,000 and $25,000 for each type of support.

What will this fund?
These grants are intended to reduce barriers to participation, address the financial risk of participating in the festival and allow venues to take on ambitious, innovative plans.

Who can apply?
  • Emerging Adelaide Fringe Venues, including venues that are within their first five years as a registered Adelaide Fringe Venue
  • Emerging South Australian, Australian and international venue operators hosting or presenting a program of at least five shows for Adelaide Fringe 2025, with shows across each week of the season
  • Both brick and mortar and pop-up venues are encouraged to apply
  • Emerging Venues in the Adelaide CBD, metropolitan area, and regional and remote South Australia can all apply for support
  • Priority will be given to venues with total project budgets that are less than $1M. 
Eligibility
  • Venues must be hosting a minimum of five shows, with at least ten sessions across  the 2025 Adelaide Fringe season
  • Venues must also be activated during each week of the 2025 Fringe, hosting registered Adelaide Fringe shows across each week of the 2025 Adelaide Fringe season (21 February - 23 March 2025)
  • Applicants will be asked to demonstrate a desire to engage with innovative technological solutions, with those who intend to approach their season with an ambitious creative vision receiving priority.

Previous Grant Recipients


“The funding significantly boosted access and inclusion for artists and audiences, especially benefiting our regional community and individuals with mental illness. It enhanced cultural enrichment for regional and marginalised communities.” - Marcia Octoman, District Council of Tumby Bay

Image credit: Not Here to F*** Spiders. Photo: Jordan Gollan, 2023

“As independent artists, who are not in a position to make, produce, or market our art full-time, it means a lot to be backed by Adelaide Fringe. Every little bit of support helps to expand our audience and to have our work seen by people who otherwise might not have given us a look in.” - Shaylee Leach, ‘Yozi: No Babies in the Sauna’

Image credit: Yozi - No Babies In The Sauna. Photo: Razan Fakhouri, 2024

“Without Fringe Fund support, we would need to completely reassess our thriving and successful programming. The support helps us to help our artists, audiences, staff and volunteers because without them there is no GTS at Fringe!” - Simone Avramidis, Goodwood Theatre Studios

Image credit: Goodwood Theatres and Studios. Photo: Anastasia Comelli, 2024.

"It was great to have that early support and know that there was interest in Aboriginal theatre. My play attracted the attention of an investor who is in discussions with me in relation to potentially developing another play further with a view to international travel." - Jannali Jones, ‘Trail’s End’

Image credit: Trail's End. Photo: Heidi Wolf, 2024

Key Dates

Jul - Oct 2024: 1-on-1 Support Sessions (online)
24 Sep 2024: Fringe Forward Venue Grants OPEN
14 Oct 2024: Fringe Forward Venue Grants CLOSE midnight (ACST) (Please note administrative and technical support will end Monday 14 October at 5pm ACST)
25 Oct 2024: Successful applicants will be notified from this date
30 Oct 2024: Registration Deadline for Printed Program
6 Dec 2024: Program Launch
21 Feb-23 Mar 2025: Adelaide Fringe 2025
Apr 2025: Acquittals due from Novatech Arts Innovation Fund and Lumo Energy Venue Grant recipients

Support

Contact us
If you have any questions on the application process, contact the Adelaide Fringe Artist and Venues Team via:
+61 8 08 8100 2022
venues@adelaidefringe.com.au
artists@adelaidefringe.com.au

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Banner Image: Skank Sinatra. Photo: Theodora Wong, Adelaide Fringe 2024