JumpClimb failure leaves Perth Fringe World artists unpaid

Management of Perth's Fringe World festival have advised that one of their largest affiliated events management companies is entering voluntary administration.

JumpClimb, an independent presenter of Fringe World events, were behind a number of venues and events at the 2018 festival – including the ever-changing Noodle Palace venue.

The company posted a message to their website and social media channels announcing they would be closing.

A number of artists have raised concerns over the announcement, with many losing out on their investment and earnings from the festival’s 2018 run.

A spokesperson for Fringe World advised “Fringe World has been informed that a range of artists are owed monies by JumpClimb for their Fringe World seasons.

“The Festival is in the process of finding out exactly who is owed what and is in communication with affected artists about the situation. The understanding at this time is that close to $200,000 is owed to artists for their JumpClimb seasons.”

Speaking to OUTinPerth a Fringe World spokesperson said that JumpClimb were responsible for over 90 events in this year’s program, advising “in 2018, JumpClimb had 94 registered events. In 2017, JumpClimb had 90 registered events.”

The spokesperson confirmed that no Government funding given to the festival, was in turn given to JumpClimb.

The events management company has operated for the last seven years and have been behind some of Perth’s most popular events including the management of the Beaufort Street Festival and Beauvine Food and Wine Festival.

The company posted a statement to their website announcing on their imminent closure.

The notice dvised “unfortunately, a combination of factors including a downturn in ticket sales on recent projects, debtors going into receivership and the general economic slow-down, has led to a financial predicament wherein it is no longer viable or responsible we continue to operate.”

The company advised that they had sold off the BeauVine Food and Wine Festival to another event management company, and were hopeful that they would be able to raise additional fund by selling off other flagship events.

The statement added “we will be reaching out and communicating to all artists and suppliers affected by our situation in the coming days with the intent of finding solutions. Thank you to all of our staff and the hundreds of thousands of people of Perth who came to our events and helped make our city a better place to play.”

The collapse of the company leaves many Fringe World artists and suppliers concerned that they will not be paid for their work at this year’s event.

Performer Zuleika Khan who had sold out sessions of her show Triage said she was looking at losing half of her annual income.

The news of the company’s collapse means she has been forced to cancel her season at this year’s Edinburgh Fringe.

Khan advised “this is the event that sets me up for whole year (so) it’s very disappointing and upsetting.

“We know there was a downturn in audiences at this year’s Fringe World but this news has left us in shock and despair. The money we work for months for has been stolen.”

Khan said she had begun speaking to other artists affected by the closure of the company and people were only just beginning to get a clear picture of how much money was owed.

Tiffany Venning, the Media Arts and Entertainment Alliance’s Regional Director for Western Australia said the union was very concerned about the impact the closure of Jumpclimb would have particularly on artists.

Venning advised “some of them are owned substantial amounts of money, one I’ve seen is around $30,000, which is a lot of money in the vicarious life of a performer.”

Venning said the MEAA would work with members to provide assistance in recouping unpaid fees and would also be providing mental health support.

She added “I’ve approach the four members of our wellness committee who are in here in Western Australia about holding a session not just for MEAA members, but for all artists who are finding this financial impact quite traumatic.”

Venning said that there continued to be concern in the local arts communities about the model Fringe World uses and how it can leave artists vulnerable. 

14th March 2018 - 450,000 PEOPLE SHARE EXPERIENCES AT 2018 PERTH FESTIVAL

17th December 2017 - AUSTRALIAN MAJOR PERFORMING ARTS GROUP CONDEMNS HARASSMENT AND BULLYING 

1st December 2017 - LIVE PERFORMANCE AUSTRALIA PRESENT 2017 CENTENARY AWARDS 

13th November 2017 - AUSTRALIA COUNCIL RESEARCH REVEALS DECLINE IN ARTIST’S INCOMES 

3rd November 2017 - AUSTRALIA’S STATE THEATRE COMPANIES CONDEMN SEXUAL HARASSMENT 

5th October 2017 - LIVE PERFORMANCE INDUSTRY GENERATES $1.43 BILLION REVENUE AND 18.78 MILLION ATTENDANCES

7th August 2017 - FRINGE WORLD REPORT SHOWS IMPORTANCE OF WESTERN AUSTRALIA’S CULTURAL INDUSTRIES 

18th October 2016 - RESEARCH REVEALS ALARMING FINDINGS ABOUT MENTAL HEALTH OF AUSTRALIAN ENTERTAINMENT INDUSTRY WORKERS 

3rd February 2016 - PERTH FRINGE PERFORMERS SUFFER ABUSE, THREATS AND SEXUAL HARASSMENT

28th July 2015 - PERTH INTERNATIONAL ARTS FESTIVAL HONOURED WITH NINE HELPMANN AWARDS

19th July 2015 - PERTH’S FRINGE WORLD DELIVERS OVER $70 MILLION IN ECONOMIC IMPACT 

5th March 2015 - PERTH SUFFERING ONGOING LOSSES OF LIVE MUSIC VENUES 

12th August 2009 - WA ARTS BRACED FOR TOUGH TIMES