Free Fringe Philly was created in 2019 in part as a direct response to the capitalist pay-to-play festival model. We, like other Free Fringe Festivals, believe there is no scarcity of creative desire, audience interest, or talent. 

We believe that creating and enjoying art is life-sustaining and paying to be included in a festival that serves the desires of the super-chosen or super-funded is not a festival for the people. It is a festival for some people.

Free Fringe Philly is an act of protest. We believe our city deserves more art, not less. We protest the idea that art makers should only serve an exclusive group of funders, curators, audience members, and spaces. We challenge the notion that artists should “keep quiet” and “pay their dues” working for little or nothing in hopes of someday being included in the “elite” spaces of the curated art world.

What can you do? Great question. Join us in this protest.

If you are a person who is able to participate: produce, jump in and make work for this space.

If you have some power and privilege: provide resources for all. 

If you have access, share that access.

If you have stages, props, experience, space, equipment, open up the proverbial doors to this protest. 

As a community, we can actively work to dismantle exclusive, elitist systems and these are only a few ways.

With more of us taking these kinds of actions, a step at a time, those with power can open up more access for those with less or none, which means more creators, more audiences, more connection, and a chance for more to thrive in equitable spaces.

If you’re feeling anxious while you read this, if your stomach is tightening, then you have likely benefited from or are otherwise entrenched in these systems. We, the individuals who run this festival, have also benefited. We also feel anxious; our stomachs are also tightening. That’s why we are pushing harder for equity and access.

Participating in Free Fringe Philly is not just being part of the ‘other festival.’

By participating in Free Fringe Philly, you are saying that, like us, you also believe that the power of the people is more powerful than the people in power.

About Us:

It is a free version of a fringe festival. Everything is free. Free to submit. Free to attend. Founded in 2019, powering through pandemic and gatekeepers and running strong.

In 3 years, there have been over 31 million Free Fringe Philly shows, starring close to one million artists, and attended by three billion thousand people throughout the land. Time and art are relative.

We are a conduit. About us is about you. You is us. Us is we. We are here to shake things loose and help inspire creators to make art, while helping to inspire havers of resources to share those things for artists. 

Why Free Fringe?

The original spirit of the fringe festival is making art accessible (free). We are bringing that back. Artists are encouraged to pass the hat at the end of their shows. All monies go directly to them.