In this episode of the Broad Street Review podcast, host Darnelle Radford speaks with Nell Bang-Jensen, CEO and producing director of Fringe Arts, as they reflect on her first year in the role. They discuss the importance of Fringe Arts in supporting new and experimental work, the growth of the festival, and the significance of community engagement in the arts. Nell shares insights on the challenges faced by artists, the role of workshops, and the unique experiences offered by events like Feastival. The conversation also touches on funding challenges and the potential for more festivals in Philadelphia, emphasizing the need for continued support for the arts community.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Fringe Arts and Nell Bang-Jensen

02:12 Reflecting on a Year at Fringe Arts

04:06 The Importance of Fringe Festivals

06:30 Supporting Artists and Workshops

08:29 Navigating the Festival Landscape

11:04 The Role of Community in the Arts

14:19 Festival Growth and Audience Engagement

15:29 Curated vs. Neighborhood Festivals

17:54 Thematic Hubs and Community Engagement

20:35 Challenges with Non-Traditional Spaces

23:29 The Future of Fringe Arts

25:59 Feastival: A Culinary and Arts Experience

28:16 Planning for the Future of Fringe Arts

33:51 Community Needs and Artist Support

35:59 The Future of Festivals in Philadelphia

38:56 Funding Challenges in the Arts

39:48 Conclusion and Future Aspirations

ABOUT NELL BANG-JENSEN (CEO and Producing Director of FringeArts)

Nell Bang-Jensen is a Philadelphia-based theater maker and the newly appointed Artistic Director of Theatre Horizon  She has created four full-scale, original works, in addition to directing and producing for many of Philadelphia’s major theater institutions, including Philadelphia Theatre Company, the Wilma, Pig Iron, and the Painted Bride.  Nell is a recipient of a  2019 Map Fund Award, a Next Stage Director’s Fellowship from the Drama League (2019), a  Thomas J. Watson Fellow (2011-2012), a Frank 5 Fellow for the Aydelotte Foundation (2017), and a participant in the Leadership U: One-on-One program, funded by the Andrew W. Mellon Foundation and administered by Theatre Communications group; a national fellowship given to eight individuals who TCG believes are the core and future of theater.   In October 2018, American Theatre magazine named her one of six "theatre workers to know" across the nation.

FOR MORE ABOUT FRINGE ARTS: https://fringearts.com