AN evaluation report from Adelaide Fringe has revealed the inaugural Fringe in Mount Gambier festival attracted an audience of nearly 8000 people at events during March.
The report, received by Mount Gambier City Council this month, evaluated attendance, economic benefit and the main successes and challenges identified by event organisers and audience members.
Five visual art/film events and 25 performing arts events were presented at different venues across the city during the month-long festival.
Adelaide Fringe and Country Arts SA contributed $26,800 toward the festival, the State Government contributed $44,000 towards marketing, coordination, performers fees and event infrastructure and Mount Gambier City Council contributed $30,000 cash and $5,000 in-kind support.
The economic value of Fringe in Mount Gambier benefited businesses, cafes and hotels, with 70pc of survey respondents stating they visited a cafe before or after they attended a Fringe event, while a further 69pc of respondents stated they went out for a meal before or after an event.
The report outlined the main successes of the inaugural arts festival as the opening event at the Cave Gardens, positive feedback from touring artists, a good mix of free and ticketed events and good attendance at cabaret and circus programs.
Challenges identified during this year’s festival included clashes with sport and other events, mixed marketing messages, timing and placement of street closures impacting negatively on businesses and pedestrian
flow around the Cave Gardens area and confusion from audiences on how to access the Cave Gardens during the closing weekend festivities.
A number of recommendations outlined in the evaluation report will guide future planning and growth of Fringe in Mount Gambier.
Recommendations included condensing street closures to Watson Terrace only, increased free and roving entertainment in the Cave Gardens area, a performance tent with shorter and cheaper shows and revised dates and duration of the festival.
Mount Gambier City Council has allocated $25,000 in its 2017/18 draft budget towards Fringe in Mount Gambier.
