What is expected from a Fringe event?

• Fringe events are expected to take place in Bournemouth.

• Fringe events can be targeted at any age or demographic group. They are required to contain an artistic element of any genre; music, fine art, craft, film, dance events are all welcome.

• Fringe events are expected to be good quality and engaging.

• While we welcome applications for events that regularly occur (for example, a ticketed monthly spoken word night) we expect to see some tailoring of the event programme to reference the brand and theme of the festival (see 2019 Theme).

• Fringe events will be included in the main website, listings and printed programme of the festival where possible. Early applications are advised to make use of this promotional support.

• The project lead stated in this application is expected to organise the event.

• Fringe events are expected to be independently funded. Project organisers are responsible for the finance, cash flow and ticketing of their own events, where ticketing is applicable.

• The project lead is responsible for ensuring their own event is compliant with all relevant UK legislation, including health and safety, licensing and insurance requirements.

• The project lead is expected to work with the Festival team on marketing, ticketing and creative development, where required.

• In most cases Fringe events will occur within the 23rd - 29th September. Applications for events due to take place outside of these dates will still be accepted and strong applications will be considered by the Festival Team.

• Fringe events must consider environmental impact and work to reduce this where possible.

Arts by the Sea presents 'Mind Matter'

Arts by the Sea 2019 asks:

Is modern life conducive to a positive state of mind?

Despite the UK’s status as one of the richest and most secure countries in the World, and a steadily increasing level of awareness about the importance of mental health, 1 in 4 of people in the UK will be affected by depression, anxiety and other mental health problems at some point in their life. While life is arguably far easier than it was 50 years ago, mental illness is on the rise.

Excessive workloads and pressures in the workplace have also led to the claim that the UK is experiencing a stress “epidemic”. Despite this, talking about mental health issues is still heavily stigmatised, and in many societies around the world, they remain a taboo subject.

In the UK the extent of the problem and its social stigma is also evidenced, perhaps most shockingly, by the disproportionate number of male suicides and the rise in suicides among young people. Causes for this have been cited as everything from loneliness and lack of social connections, to family breakdown and financial problems.

An increasing body of research has, however, found that there are practical ways in which all of us can engage with the issue of mental health for the wellbeing of ourselves and others. There have been five key ways identified, which are: 1. Connect, 2. Be Active, 3. Take Notice, 4. Keep Learning, and 5. Give.

In 2019 Arts by the Sea aims to utilise these five key wellbeing points as anchors to help produce an event that highlights some of these stigmas and taboos around mental health, with a wide range of community projects and creative commissions that aim to leave a lasting legacy for Bournemouth and the surrounding areas, promoting wellbeing in all its forms.

Through the 2019 programming strand, Mind Matter, we aim to explore and challenge current attitudes towards mental health and spark conversations through artwork and installations inspired or influenced by mental health issues and experiences.