1 July 2013

Fringe Festival not transparent enough?

| Barcham
Join the conversation
2

Recently Joy Burch announced that the reins to the multicultural festival were being placed once more into the hands of its founding director Jorian Gardner.

While Jorian is understandably happy, one of last years producers, Nick Byrne is rather confused as to why he had not known the job was up for grabs.

Talking with ABC News, Nick Byrne voiced his concerns.

Mr Byrne says he was shocked to hear of Mr Gardner’s appointment as there had not been any calls for tenders for the job.

“I would have imagined that any significant input from government would be required to have transparency and justification beyond what has been given here,” he said.

“We thought the process would have been handed over to the body that allocates and manages arts funding which is Arts ACT.”

It is understood Mr Gardner directly lobbied Ms Burch for the position.

Mr Byrne says last year’s process was vastly different.

“Expressions of interest were called for, we applied along with a number of people,” he said.

“Expressions of interest and a vision statement for what the festival would be were considered.”

That’s more like it.

It’s not really the multicultural Fringe festival without some controversy going on is it?

Join the conversation

2
All Comments
  • All Comments
  • Website Comments
LatestOldest

The Minister has been strangely silent on this one (or have I missed some media on it)??

Ah, those Labor “captain’s picks”. Nick and Trish will both just have to commiserate …

Daily Digest

Want the best Canberra news delivered daily? Every day we package the most popular Riotact stories and send them straight to your inbox. Sign-up now for trusted local news that will never be behind a paywall.

By submitting your email address you are agreeing to Region Group's terms and conditions and privacy policy.