THE Edinburgh Fringe is urging residents of the capital to register as a potential home for an artist during the 2019 festival.
The Fringe, the world's biggest cultural festival, will today announce a new partnership with an online booking platform, TheatreDigsBooker, which the festival hopes will increase the amount of affordable accommodation for artists in the city.
The festival, which has noted accommodation as a key issue for artists at the annual event, is now encouraging Edinburgh residents "with a passion for the arts to share their homes with a Fringe participant."
The Fringe would like residents to host a performer if they have a spare room and are prepared not to charge the performers the highest rates.
A statement said that the Fringe Society are "looking for people who are primarily interested in the experience both they and the artists can share, as opposed to the financial return they can gain.
"This scheme is aimed at those who have a spare room that they can offer to an artist or participant registered with the Fringe at minimal cost."
TheatreDigsBooker is a website designed specifically for artists seeking accommodation across the UK, and was established in 2010.
No money is changing hands in the deal, a Fringe spokeswoman said, but the two would be working together to increase the amount of "affordable" accommodation in the city during August.
The Fringe's Blueprint, a series of ideas about its future launched last year, includes the plan to increase the availability of accommodation through partnerships with accommodation and transport providers.
The Fringe has also arranged an agreement with Queen Margaret University and Napier University.
Both will be providing "affordable rooms specifically for artists", the Fringe said.
Shona McCarthy, chief executive of the Edinburgh Festival Fringe Society said: "The Fringe Society is committed to making accommodation more affordable for artists at the Fringe, and I am delighted to announce this important step in tackling one of the biggest issues participants face.
"In partnership with TheatreDigsBooker’s online platform, we are reaching out to the residents of Edinburgh to register their property and host an artist in their spare room.
"Over a third of Edinburgh residents visit the Fringe during August and this is another way they can engage and support the artists that make this festival diverse, inclusive and amazing.
"Ensuring that those participating at the fringe, including performers, producers and technical staff can continue to bring incredible work to our city each year, irrespective of background or financial status. It’s also a fantastic opportunity to see the Fringe in a whole new light."
The founder of TheatreDigsBooker, said: "The team and I are really excited to be working with the Fringe.
"We love the festival and everything that it brings to the theatre industry.
"We hope that pooling our combined resources will make finding and booking accommodation for the Fringe easier than ever and make a genuine difference to participants experience."
Around 100 private hosts are already listed on TheatreDigsBooker.com in the Edinburgh area.
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