Structures of U.S. Fringes: An Outline for Archivists

To archive and preserve materials connected to the most widespread and fastest-growing form of arts festival in the world, it is important to understand the breadth of the fringe festival phenomenon. The very concept of “Fringe Festival” is contested—ranging from the organic growth of performance venues “round the Fringe” of the original Edinburgh Festival to, decades later, the publication of the Canadian Association of Fringe Festival’s “Fringe Ideals.” This conceptual diversity is reflected in how Fringe Festivals are organized—with some being highly centralized and others operating with a decentralized structure of independent venues. This conceptual and managerial diversity has proven to be a strength. Fringes have been the fastest-growing and most widespread form of festival for decades now, precisely because of their adaptability. But a proper understanding of both the artistic endeavors at these festivals and how the festivals are understood and operated will allow that flexible growth to continue.