WE ARE DURHAM FRINGE CIC
Supporting the performing arts in County Durham & beyond
Durham Fringe Festival is a genuinely grassroots initiative, set up in 2021 as a community interest company (CIC). It was initially conceived by a group of friends, living and working in the North-East, who love Fringe Festivals and had a collective dream to grow a festival in their home city of Durham. Six years in, the organisation has seen significant growth. Our 2026 festival saw us cross a huge milestone, selling over 10,000 tickets. The organisation also employs a Festival Manager to help deliver the event and support our growing ambitions.
We are supported by a network of partner organisations and businesses, who can see the potential of the festival in supporting the vibrancy of the city, and creating opportunities for artists and for the communities of County Durham and the wider North East.
The Fringe has experienced remarkable growth since its inception in 2021. The historic city of Durham provides the atmospheric backdrop for the festival, which takes place across a network of venues in the city centre in the last week of July. With the launch of our new project The Academy, Durham Fringe CIC is now working to grow our impact year-round, delivering a vast range of support to the performing arts sector.
OUR OBJECTIVES
To advance the arts for the benefit of the public, particularly but not exclusively through the delivery of an annual performing arts festival in Durham.
To promote public appreciation and participation in the arts, especially among communities who have limited access to cultural activities.
To advance education in the arts of both audience and artists, by providing opportunities for emerging, local, and underrepresented artists and by offering educational activities such as workshops, talks, and outreach programmes.
OUR VALUES
1. Celebrating culture and art
2. Inclusivity
3. Independence
4. Nurturing
5. Respect
6. Transparency and openness
Meet The Team
Maria Baranowska
Festival Manager & Delivery Team
With a foundation in marketing and communications, over the last few years Maria has shifted focus to project and event management and spent recent years delivering major projects for the Ouseburn Trust, including their annual Arts Festival and a new community venue 51 Lime Street. We’re very excited she’s bringing these skills and energy to DFF.
Chris Blakeborough
Technical Lead, CDB Productions Solutions
Owner and Managing Director of CDB Production solutions who have provided stage, lighting, sound equipment and professional technicians for the Durham Fringe Festival since our inception.
Dr Stephen Cronin
Festival Director, Board Chair & Delivery Team
Retired: Paediatrician, Designated Doctor for Child Protection, and High Sheriff . Sometime Programme Maker, Scriptwriter, Set Designer, Director, and RTS award winner for Children’s Cancer Videos.
Peter Lotts
Technical Director, Board Director & Delivery Team
Passionate theatre technician and experienced Fringe technician, with experience building maintainable and scalable online experiences from high-level goals.
Daryl Folkard
Board Director & Delivery Team
Durham alumnus. Investment Banker, formerly at Foreign Office. Writer and Producer (Edinburgh and London Fringes). Co-founder of the Edible Art Movement.
Elizabeth Scott
Board Director
Durham County Council Portfolio Holder for Economy and Partnerships. Her professional background is in economic development and regeneration – and she ran her own business for 13 years.
Emma Gaudern
Board Director
Emma is the CEO and was one of the founders of EMG Solicitors.
Adam Shanley
Board Director
An avid Arts supporter, Adam started as a Festival volunteer in 2024. Adam is the Parish Clerk for Durham City as well as a Board Member on Durham Business Improvement District. In those roles, he enjoys organising major events in the City. Adam is a Director of the Festival in a personal capacity.
