By Molly Given<\/p>\n
It\u2019s been years since FringeArts<\/a> has been able to launch a winter-spring season, but that\u2019s all about to change.\u00a0<\/p>\n Following the success of the annual Fringe Festival that took place over the course of three weeks in September, the creative organization recently announced details for a jam-packed schedule and a new artist residency program, both at its home on the Delaware Riverfront.<\/p>\n Under the new leadership of Producing Director and CEO Nell Bang-Jensen, the 2025 Philadelphia Fringe Festival<\/a> saw record-breaking participation from both artists and audiences. As a release notes, over 1,200 performances of 350 shows and events took place during its run. Audiences increased 15% from 2024, with more than 35,000 Fringe Festival tickets sold.<\/p>\n \u201cFringeArts is a home for bold artists, projects, and experiments; a place where Philly can come together to celebrate the arts, each other, and the power of community,\u201d says Bang-Jensen. \u201cWith these two new programs, FringeArts aims to bolster the vibrant artistic ecosystem already existing in Philly and introduce Philly artists and audiences to works that push the boundary of what’s possible in the performing arts.\u201d<\/p>\n To continue its mission \u2014 to act as a platform, launchpad, and resource for Philadelphia-based artists whose work deserves to be seen on a larger scale \u2014 FringeArts’ plan for its creative residency program is to help artists with their process in a way \u201cthat is not prescriptive.\u201d<\/p>\n Dubbed the Albert M. Greenfield Residency at FringeArts, this program leverages the company’s resources and space to promote the development of new work in a trust-based selection model and will be adjudicated by a panel of artists who represent the city. The release also states that artists are not required to deliver a specific product at the end of their residency, and are given space, time, money, and mentorship to develop their work. Three companies or artists will be selected for the program\u2019s inaugural year in 2026 (which will take place in the summer). Applications are open for artists through Jan. 15.<\/p>\n This season also brings in a stacked schedule to bring audiences to FringeArts\u2019 home on the Delaware Riverfront more consistently year-round. In recent years, the organization implemented a mini-festival model during the colder months, which featured weekend-length programs like the Blue Heaven Comedy Festival and Hand to Hand Circus Festival. This consistent upcoming programming on the other hand will feature shows from Jenn Kidwell, Lee Minora, Hirokai Umeda, and duo Pax Ressler and Jackie Soro.<\/p>\n