Brighton Fringe boss departs after steering festival through Covid

Brighton Fringe leader AMY KEOGH will depart next spring, leaving for community-led arts organisation SameSky.

The festival’s managing director is to head off in March, having begun her tenure in 2022.

Recruitment for Keogh’s successor begins today (17 December).

Listed among her key achievements are the expansion of Brighton Fringe’s outdoor venue sites, most recently Revel Pucks’ Circus Yard, and securing Arts Council England funding for the Junction, a networking event for creatives and producers as part of the festival’s career development programme.

Representatives credited her with steering Brighton Fringe through a “significant period of change” by helping the festival recover and rebuild following the challenges of the Covid pandemic.

Meanwhile, under Keogh’s leadership, Brighton Fringe achieved its highest ticket sales since 2019, while she also reinstated the festival’s printed brochure in response to what the organisation called “long-standing feedback” from artists and audiences.

“Leading Brighton Fringe has been an extraordinary privilege and an absolute delight, even at its toughest moment,” said Keogh.

“The festival’s strength lies in its artists, venues, staff, volunteers, and audiences. As I look ahead to the next chapter, I am immensely proud of what we have achieved together and excited to see how Brighton Fringe continues to evolve.”

DUNCAN LUSTIG-PREAN, chair of Brighton Fringe, said Keogh would be “greatly missed”.

“Amy has a wonderful way with the team, consistently demonstrating strength, energy, and generosity of spirit,” he said. “She has made a significant difference to the relationships Brighton Fringe has built across the city and beyond, and her contribution to the organisation has been immense.”