Adelaide Fringe Chief Executive and Director Greg Clarke will step down from the organisation’s helm following the 2015 Fringe.
Mr Clarke, who was appointed to the top job in 2010, will deliver his fifth and final Fringe in 2015 and promises it will be the best yet.
“It’s been an amazing adventure leading the Fringe team in delivering four of the biggest and most successful Fringe festivals in its history,” Mr Clarke said.
“I have absolutely loved reconnecting with my hometown and feel very proud of everything we have achieved in growing and promoting this extraordinary festival.”
He added that although he plans to move back to Sydney after the 2015 Fringe, he hoped the relationships he had developed in Adelaide with artists and colleagues would lead to some interesting new arts projects in the future.
Under Mr Clarke’s leadership, Adelaide Fringe has increased attendances by 80 per cent to 1.9 million, ticket sales by 45 per cent to 450,000, annual sponsorship by 50 per cent and almost doubled the amount of events from 500 to 966.
He has also overseen the transition of the Fringe to a four-week festival, moved the Fringe Parade to King William St and increased the Fringe’s estimated economic expenditure from $35 million to $66 million.
The Adelaide Fringe Board will start its worldwide search on Saturday, October 4, to fill the position of Chief Executive and Director of the Adelaide Fringe, which is the largest arts festival in the Southern Hemisphere.
Adelaide Fringe Chair David Minear said the Adelaide Fringe Board and Fringe’s sponsors and supporters have thoroughly enjoyed working with Mr Clarke and value his outstanding contribution.
“Greg has made an indelible and significant contribution to the history and destiny of the Fringe,” Mr Minear said.
“While change is never easy, we are confident that we will find the right person to take this much loved South Australian festival to new levels and we have a strong team that will manage the transition.”
Adelaide Fringe’s new Chief Executive and Director is expected to be appointed in January, 2015.
The 2015 Adelaide Fringe will run from 13 February until 15 March.
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