Destination…Fringe!
When it comes to supporting arts, ATB Financial knows the Fringe Festival is where it’s at. Curtis Stange, President & CEO of ATB, and Murray Utas, Artistic Director with Fringe Theatre, discuss their next big Fringe adventure.
You’re heading to the Fringe for a day of artistic adventure. What is in your Festival backpack?
CURTIS: To ensure my Fringe experience is a great one, I’ll choose four items to carry inside my Festival backpack. First up in my backpack will be everything needed to enjoy the show, no matter the weather: sunscreen, umbrella, and winter gloves—after all, anything is possible in Edmonton! Secondly, I’ll make sure I have my ATB Financial bank card (of course!) and some cash so I can thank the outdoor artists for the talent and passion they bring to this Festival. Thirdly, I would pack extra napkins as the food at Fringe is amazing—my favourite stop is for green onion cakes! And finally, something that may be tricky to put in my backpack, but I will bring an open mind to Fringe. With so many performances, you never know what you’re going to see, and I have found that
if you are open to it, your experiences will be even more fringe-tastic!
MURRAY: I like to pack light and wear sensible shoes. My fringing days are long, and I cover a lot of ground. I go from noon to Late Night Cabaret no matter the weather, so I pack sensible layers because, let’s face it, we can get sun and snow in one Fringe. My water bottle is always full – staying hydrated is essential (and a few vegetables don’t hurt either!). Pockets are important! I make sure I have some cash and coins tucked in my pockets so I can say thanks to the outdoor artists on my way to the next theatre venue. And my phone is always close at hand (actually, in my hand…all the time!). I’m on call all day, every day of Festival, but now I get to check my e-tickets for my next show on my phone, too.
What ways are you working to support artists and arts workers in 2022?
CURTIS: If the past two years have taught us anything, it’s the importance of coming together as a community, supporting our friends and family, and lifting up our neighbours. We are incredibly proud of our long-term partnership with Edmonton Fringe. Last year’s festival saw $350,000 in ticket sales go directly into the hands of local performers and theatre groups.
MURRAY: Connecting artists and audiences is how we keep the arts alive. It’s how we’ll recover, rejoice, and rebuild as a community after a long and isolating two years. Getting the Festival back on its feet after the great pause is the best way we can help artists get back on their feet, too.
If you were writing a travel guide entry, what would be your ‘did you know’ fun fact about your organization?
CURTIS: Arts and cultural events are the creative heart and soul of our communities and ATB Financial hosts exhibits and performances throughout the year at our Branch for Arts and Culture in downtown Edmonton. The Branch is dedicated to connecting and strengthening Alberta’s creative community.
MURRAY: Fringe doesn’t start and end with the Festival. Fringe Theatre is a home to arts all year long. Every year, we present a wildly eclectic theatre season featuring daring new work by local artists and the Fringe Theatre Arts Barns is home to more than 500 performing arts events between the months of September and July. Plus, now we have a cafe. The Fringe Grounds Cafe (located just inside our main lobby doors) is your place to eat, meet, and create. As a loiter-positive space, we invite you to get comfortable and work on your next great project or just hang out and soak up the vibe!
The Edmonton Fringe Festival is a springboard for artists to make major leaps in their careers. How does ATB help Albertans make their next big leap?
CURTIS: As a long-time fan and supporter of the arts, our team at ATB Financial has a deep understanding of the unique financial challenges artists face, and we are set up to support our clients in all ways possible. We have incredible teams located at The Branch for Arts and Culture in Edmonton and Calgary. Our members can access powerful, industry-specific banking services and career development resources designed to help them do their very best work. And ATB’s innovative lending solutions include gap financing, crowdfunding, support for associations and nonprofits, financial literacy programs and more.
MURRAY: Our Festival is made possible thanks to the generous support of ATB, and The Branch for Arts and Culture is just one example of how ATB meaningfully invests in the local creative community. Fringe wouldn’t be possible without the collaboration of partners like ATB. The future of Fringe is bright thanks to ATB! The Fringe Festival is a beloved “staycation” tradition for many local fringers.
What is your go-to destination at the Fringe Festival?
CURTIS: For many of us, the chance to listen to music, watch a performance, or share a laugh, enriches our sense of belonging and deepens our connection to each other. If I had to choose a favourite part, it would be hosting our clients and fellow fringers at the ATB Community Patio.
MURRAY: Do I have to pick just one?! Honourable mention goes to KidsFringe: I love starting my morning there to see what the next generation of fringers are creating. And of course, after a long day of fringing, hitting up North Beer for some cheer is essential. But if I had to pick just one, it’d be the Late Night Cabaret. At the Late Night Cabaret, I get to hang up my lanyard for the night and just be a patron at the show. Every Festival day is an adventure. I’m nine years into my Fringe journey as the Artistic Director, and I still discover something surprising year after year. When you make Fringe your destination, you’ll be transported to a thousand different realities all in the same day!