About us
Buxton Festival Fringe began in 1980 to run concurrently with the world-renowned Buxton Festival, with international opera and high profile literary talks at its core.
The Fringe goes from strength to strength each year and now has a respected and professional image with a full colour brochure, reviews of all shows, prize funds and many artists using it as a preview before appearing at Edinburgh Festival Fringe.
The Fringe provides a showcase for performers and artists of all kinds in a variety of venues. Dance, drama, music, poetry, comedy, film, exhibitions and magic are just some of the forms that have appeared - we welcome all genres.
The Fringe Committee does not undertake any selection, censorship, financing or selective promotion of individual events.
Elected officers of the committee are: John Wilson (Chair), Stephanie Billen (Vice Chair), Maria Carnegie (Secretary), Keith Savage (Treasurer) with Andrew Aughton, Stoon Barrar, Heather Basnett, Ursula Birkett, Martin Bisknell, Peter Low, John McGrother and Barbara Wilson elected as Trustee Committee Members. Yacein Al-Shaater, Jean Ball, Tom Crawshaw, Jasmine Harmer, Dianne Langley, Dan Osborne, Conor Moss (representing the University of Derby, Buxton) and Armelle Perrin are Honorary Committee Members (ie not Trustees).
In 2007, the Fringe hosted 449 events from 111 performers.
As of 2007 the Fringe is now a member of the British Arts Festival Association and it co-hosted BAFA's annual conference held in Buxton in October 2007.
What we believe
We are a charity run by volunteers.
We believe that art is for all, not just an elite. This applies both to artists and audience.
We aim to provide an opportunity for artists to perform or exhibit in an environment that is low cost and an atmosphere that is receptive.
We hope that our Fringe Festival encourages artists to take risks and experiment.
We hope that our audiences are enthusiastic and encouraging of innovation and new work.
Anybody can do anything on the Fringe. We do not select.
We will not censor nor selectively promote any work.