Artrage, the organisation behind Perth’s Fringe World Festival, have appointed their new CEO.
Sharon Burgess is currently serving as a Board member of the Edinburgh Fringe World Society, and for the last decade she’s been known as a driving force behind Edinburgh Fringe as the Managing Director of Assembly for six years and Business Development and General Manager at The Gilded Balloon for four years prior.
Assembly are one of the largest and oldest multi-venue producers at Edinburgh Fringe and in 2018 ran almost thirty venues – hosting up to 225 shows a day – and issuing over half a million tickets across the Fringe season.
“I am honoured and excited to be appointed CEO of Artrage, a company I have always admired,” Burgess said of her new role.
“I look forward to building on the exceptional work by Marcus Canning and continuing to shape and grow Artrage’s position in the cultural landscape of WA and beyond with the brilliant team he leaves in place. I’m thrilled to make Perth my home and can’t wait to work with the artists and audiences who create such an inspiring, creative destination.”
Artrage Chair Anthony Robinson said the organisations is thrilled to have secured the services of such a respected leader.
“the opportunity attracted hundreds of applications and many outstanding candidates,” Robinson said.
“The final short list included impressive individuals from the WA cultural sector alongside a range of national and international industry leaders. At the end of a rigorous process over a number of stages, Sharon Burgess emerged as the standout best for for the future of Fringe World.”
Retiring CEO Marcus Canning said it will be exciting to see what Burgess brings along with her wealth of Edinburgh experiences.
“She’s ideally placed to continue the good work with the Fringe World team. We had a fantastic Festival season, the organisation is in a very strong place and it’s a great set of hands to pass the baton to.”
“The future really is looking super bright for Fringe World.”
Sharon Burgess will begin serving fully as the Artrage CEO once the 2019 Edinburgh Fringe season comes to a close.
OIP Staff
