2020 ON THE EDGE Fringe Festival Cancelled Due to COVID-19
North Bay’s fringe festival will be cancelled for the first time since its 2014 inception. This follows the cancellation of ON THE EDGE Fringe’s ‘Sun Dog’ theatre festival this past March, also due to COVID-19.
MAY 4, 2020 (North Bay, ON): It is with a heavy heart that the staff of the ON THE EDGE Fringe announce the cancellation of the 2020 ON THE EDGE Fringe Festival (originally scheduled August 11-15, 2020) due to COVID-19.
The safety of our artists, staff, volunteers, and audience is our top priority as we navigate this difficult time, which is why the 2020 festival cannot move forward as planned. In addition, the continuation of social distancing practices make it irresponsible for us to encourage artists to move forward with rehearsals, and impossible for our staff to execute the logistics of the 2020 festival. This decision was not made lightly; we have a responsibility to our festival artists and staff, and we know the impact of this cancellation will be devastating.
We had a thrilling program set for the 2020 festival, including an Eat-In Festival launch event, exciting free Fringe-tini Lounge programming, exciting multi-arts events with Duality and as always, a full line-up of innovative shows from across Canada and abroad. We look forward to celebrating and fringing with the great community of North Bay in summer 2021.
In the coming days and weeks, ON THE EDGE Fringe will be engaging in conversations with our staff and 2020 festival artists to explore how we can best serve and support our fringe family during this time of crisis. With fringes across the country shut down for the foreseeable future, we are prioritizing the well-being of our staff and our artists and will move forward dedicated to serving that community first.
You will be hearing from us soon regarding the ways we plan to maintain the core values of ON THE EDGE Fringe and create opportunities for the artists from the 2020 festival to connect with our Fringe audience.
We are also currently exploring options to continue our summer youth program by converting to an online format.
All is not lost. Keep your mind open and your eyes peeled, August 11th to 15th will no doubt cross our calendars and we will find a way to still have some of that Fringe magic.
If you have any questions at this time, or just want to chat, you can reach us through email or social media. We hope you are all doing well and staying as healthy and positive as you can during these trying times.
Kelsey Ruhl
Artistic Director, ON THE EDGE Fringe
kelsey@ontheedgefringe.com
Here is a list of funding opportunities and resources for artists who are struggling due to COVID-19.
Outside the March THE TD FORWARD MARCH PROGRAM.
With the support of TD Bank Group we’re seeking submissions from playwrights and creators across the country who want to develop original immersive theatrical experiences.
https://www.theatrealberta.com/2020/04/21/call-for-submissions-national-the-td-forward-march-program/
Federal Government: Canada Emergency Response Benefit (CERB)
This application portal will open early April. Benefit will be $2,000 per month for wage earners, as well as contract workers and self-employed individuals who would not otherwise be eligible for Employment Insurance (EI).
https://www.canada.ca/en/department-finance/economic-response-plan.html
Toronto Arts Council/Toronto Arts Foundation TO Artist COVID-19 Response Fund
https://torontoartsfoundation.org/media/toartist-covid-response-fund
National Theatre School’s Art Apart Bursaries for emerging artists and students
https://ent-nts.ca/en/art-apart
As of March 17, 2020, the Fringe staff has been working remotely. If you need to reach us, please email info@ontheedgefringe.com or kelsey@ontheedgefringe.com .