Culture
05 Jul 17

Two heads of Dublin Fringe Festival to leave after this year

Festival Director Kris Nelson is leaving to join London theatre festival LIFT, while General Manager Amy O'Hanlon is taking a position at children's cultural centre The Ark.

Two heads of the Dubin Fringe Festival, Director Kris Nelson and General Manager Amy O'Hanlon, have announced that they will depart the festival after this year. They have been at the helm of the performing arts programme together since 2013.

NEWS! Festival Director @krisantonym and General Manager Amy O'Hanlon will celebrate their final Fringe this year: https://t.co/UXtyP7ceZ0 pic.twitter.com/StwVCEh0UY

— Dublin Fringe (@dublinfringe) July 5, 2017

Nelson, originally from Canada, is taking up the role of Artistic Director and Joint CEO for London's LIFT Festival in April next year. O'Hanlon will become General Manager of The Ark, a children's arts and entertainment centre in Dublin.

"Being at Fringe has given me artistic freedom, a place to test my heart and mind every day, an incredible team to flourish alongside and an opportunity to have an impact on the Irish and international arts scene," Nelson has said in announcing his departure.

He added: "Ireland has a tremendous cultural scene and it has been a privilege to contribute to its growth and development as Fringe’s leader."

In coming weeks the Dublin Fringe Festival will begin recruitment to fill the two positions. Fringe will also be revealing it's 2017 programme on July 12, with all shows on sale the following day. The 16-day festival begins on September 9 this year.