Queen Margaret University (QMU) has opened affordable accommodation for those taking part in the festival – and is also co-sponsoring the Fringe First Awards along with The Scotsman.
QMU has a rehearsal space for performers, writers directors and producers which is open during the whole month of August. The university set this space up last year and are now building on the success to offer a welcoming community driven base for artists.
The university has space in its Festival Village for 250 artists at the Musselburgh campus which has good transport links to the city centre. There are comfortable rooms all at a reduced market rate. This year demand has again been high.
Rachel Athey, Head of Commercial Services at QMU, said: “The Edinburgh Fringe is such a vibrant and important part of Scotland’s cultural identity, and we want to support emerging talent by offering affordable, flexible accommodation during August. In line with the Fringe Society’s focus on helping artists maintain their mental health during the Fringe, QMU’s beautiful campus offers a haven of tranquillity – away from the hustle and bustle of the city centre, but only six-minutes away from Edinburgh by train. After the success of last year, it’s clear there’s a real need for this kind of initiative – and we’re proud to play our part in making the Fringe more accessible, inclusive, and sustainable for artists. We’re looking forward to once again welcome performers from around the world to our Festival Village.”
This year, QMU will also return as a co-sponsor of the Scotsman Fringe First awards alongside Stagecoach. First launched in 1973, the awards celebrate outstanding new writing premiered at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe. The awards have long been a launchpad for new talent, with previous winners including Rowan Atkinson and Stephen Fry.
As part of the renewed partnership with the Scotsman, four QMU students will also gain hands-on experience in arts journalism and digital media production through internships with the newspaper during the festival. The students will support the Scotsman’s arts coverage – from producing red-carpet-style interviews with Fringe First award winners to assisting arts correspondent, Jane Bradley, with her daily Fringe video diary. The students include Quinn Lorimer and Vanida Ashell Fernandes – BA (Hons) Film and Media students – and Arran Donnelly and Simra Aslam – BA (Hons) Theatre and Film students – all of whom are bringing fresh energy and perspectives to one of the world’s most exciting cultural events.
QMU’s continued involvement in the Fringe aligns with its broader mission to support Scotland’s creative economy and nurture emerging talent. The University offers courses in performance, drama, film, media, and arts management – producing graduates who regularly participate in and contribute to the festival – and is home to a vibrant community of practitioners and academics in the performing arts and cultural sector.
Sir Paul Grice, Principal of QMU, said: “As a university, we are committed to supporting the future of performance, storytelling, creativity, accessibility, and opportunity – values that lie at the heart of the Edinburgh Festival Fringe. Through initiatives like our Festival Village and our continued sponsorship of the Fringe First awards, we are proud to help nurture the next generation of creative talent. These projects reflect QMU’s wider mission to champion the arts, contribute to Scotland’s cultural economy, and ensure that the magic of the Fringe is open to all.”
