budgeting & funding

budgeting advice

As Brighton Fringe is an open access arts festival, you are the Event Manager of your show, and it must be completely funded by you.

The total cost of your event can vary on a multitude of factors – and this is why it’s important to have a clear, realistic budget before you set off.

WE RECOMMEND YOUR BUDGET INCLUDES THE FOLLOWING

Your production costs (set, props, costumes, tech etc)

Wages and living costs for cast and crew

Venue hire

Marketing (posters, adverts etc)

Accommodation

Travel

Licences and Public Liability Insurance

Music Usage (PPL/PRS)

Registration fee

Commission on ticket sales (6.75% + VAT per ticket sold through Brighton Fringe Box Office)

MONEY SAVING TIPS

Add 5-10% of your sum budget cost to your final total. This will give you some breathing room if the unexpected happens.

Share transportation with other Brighton Fringe artists. Or, if using the train or other public transport, book your tickets early and online for discounts.

Book your accommodation early – ask the Brighton Fringe team for any discounts they know about or for our list of local accommodation opportunities.

Online marketing is very effective and can be done for free or at a low cost.

Cross-promotional work with other artists (e.g. having one side of a flyer each) can really help save money and share audiences.

budgeting planner

If you’re not sure how to start a budget, we have a template you can use.

Please click this link to view it, make sure you duplicate it before use.

affordable payment plan

Started as a pilot scheme in 2025 and returning for 2027, our affordable payment allows artists to pay their registration fee in two instalments, rather than fully upfront. This is for artists that self-identify as being on a low income.

Under this scheme, artists will be able to spread their registration fee payments into 2 instalments.

Payment 1 (50% payment of registration fee) due by invoice, 2nd December 2026 (Early bird deadline)

Payment 2 (50% payment of registration fee) due by invoice, 10th February 2027 (Print deadline)

Please fill out the form and agreement below if you would like to be a part of this scheme.

Form and Agreement for Artists

funding

Brighton Fringe offers a number of bursaries every year, in partnership with various organisations. You can view the current bursaries available here.

We also work with the crowd-funding platform Crowdfunder.co.uk, you can read more about crowd-funding here.

Brighton Fringe is not able to offer or arrange commercial partnerships for individual shows and events. However, it is worth thinking about contacting local businesses, if, for example, the company product fits with the theme of your event. It is worth approaching local and national companies, as some may offer opportunities as part of their corporate social responsibility.

In-kind deals are worth exploring with companies. Perhaps you can arrange to put your partner’s logo on your event posters and flyers or give them a profile in a more creative way. Make sure that you know what their objective is and think about mutual benefits.