Artist guide & faq

** When is the next Asheville Fringe? ➕**

March 16-23, 2025

All ticketed shows take place in the evenings of Thursday, March 20th through Sunday, March 23rd, 2025.

** Is this year's Fringe online or in-person? ➕**

Our festival is completely in-person.

** What kind of performances does Asheville Fringe accept? ➕**

The Asheville Fringe Society is dedicated to cultivating strange and wonderful work that lies outside the mainstream. We aim to provide artists with opportunities to explore the edges of their work, to collaborate across genres and to bring new and innovative performances to culturally adventurous audiences. Our continual goal is to curate experiences that expand the minds and hearts of our audiences and to be inclusive of artists who work within a myriad of genres, styles, and forms to create truly unique and original pieces in our community.

We accept 5 types of shows:

1. Fringe Shot

* A piece that is 5-15 minutes long * May be featured in a showcase or selected as a free Random Act of Fringe.

2. Short Form

* A piece that is 20-40 minutes long * May be paired with another show.

3. Full-length

* A piece that is 45-60 minutes long * Ticketed theater-style show.

4. Installation

* A piece that is site-specific (any length) * May be in an unusual location, or repeated many times. May be seen by as few as one person at a time.

5. Film

* A piece designed specifically for film. * May be in any genre * Should be less than 20 minutes in length * Will be part of a short film showcase at the Grail Moviehouse on Monday, March 17, 2025, at either 7pm or 9pm. * Submit on Film Freeway in Winter 2025.

** How are shows selected? ➕**

The Asheville Fringe Arts Festival is a juried festival. We carefully review each and every submission. Applicants must show their work (or fully present their concept) at a short virtual or in-person adjudication session in October or November. Festival staff will notify you regarding acceptance into the festival in December.

** What does it cost to apply to Asheville Fringe? ➕**

The Asheville Fringe Arts Festival does not charge any application fee. If accepted into the festival, there is a $35 Participation Fee, which is paid when you sign your Artist Contract and turn in your W-9. Artists who submit films through FilmFreeway.com ($5) do not need to pay the $35 participation fee.

** How many times does each Fringe artist perform? ➕**

Typically, each ticketed show is presented two times, except for the LaZoom Bus Festival Tour, which runs three times. Some musicians or Random Acts of Fringe will get only one performance.

** What do Fringe artists receive? ➕**

  • Access to our wonderful audience
  • 50% of ticket sales
  • Artist passes for each member of your team, granting you stand-by access to most shows
  • Comps to your show for 4 people of your choice
  • Listing in our printed guide, on our website, and local publications
  • Photos of your performance, in most cases
  • Box office support
  • Professional sound & lighting support
  • Social media promotion

** IMPORTANT DATES: When do I need to turn everything in? ➕**

Application Deadline: September 30, 2024

Adjudication Sessions: October / November 2024

Acceptance Notification: November / December 2024

Marketing Materials Due: December 2024

Venue Placement, Schedule Release & Freak Pass Sales Begin: January 2025

General Tickets On Sale: February 2025

Technical Rehearsals: March 17-20, 2025

Performance Dates: March 20-23, 2025

Closing Party: March 23, 2025

** How do ticket sales work? ➕**

All ticket sales are handled by Asheville Fringe. Our tickets are all the same price. Since 2021, tickets have been $16, except for the LaZoom Festival Bus Tour, which is $20.

** Where will I be performing? ➕**

The Asheville Fringe staff will pick a venue that best suits your needs. Our shows are typically seated, and our venue sizes range from 30-100 seats at full capacity.

Currently, our venues may include, but are not restricted to:

  • The Be Be Theatre (Downtown Asheville)
  • LEAF Global Arts (Downtown Asheville)
  • Citizen Vinyl (Downtown Asheville)
  • Noir Collective (Downtown Asheville)
  • LaZoom Bus Tour (pickup in Downtown Asheville)
  • Sly Grog Lounge (Downtown Asheville)
  • Fleetwood’s (West Asheville)
  • One World West (West Asheville)
  • Argot Room (West Asheville)
  • Art Garden (River Arts District)

** What are Fringe artists responsible for? ➕**

  • Artists must provide artwork and descriptions for promotional purposes.
  • Artists are asked to create their own social media events.
  • Artists are responsible for casting their own shows.