AV support helped Adelaide Fringe venues attract stronger acts and audiences
Small-to-medium venues across South Australia built momentum during the 2025 Adelaide Fringe season, thanks to targeted corporate philanthropy that enabled vital technical upgrades and infrastructure improvements.
At Adelaide Fringe 2025, five South Australian venues received a significant boost to their technical capacity and programming potential thanks to the 2025 Novatech Arts Innovation Fund, delivered through Adelaide Fringe.
Sharing in a $50,000 cash pool alongside matched value in in-kind technical support, recipients used the grants and the associated resources to implement meaningful infrastructure upgrades that directly supported their in-season programming.
Thanks to this funding from local event production company Novatech, the venues that received support were better positioned to attract a broader range of artists, deliver more ambitious programs, and present high-quality work during the Adelaide Fringe season.
The support accelerated growth already in motion, helping independent venues evolve into more sustainable and future-focused creative hubs.
The 2025 Novatech Arts Innovation Fund recipients were Fool’s Paradise, Multicultural Comedy Hub – Ibis Hotel, The Warehouse Theatre, Nineteen Ten, and The GC Grand Central at The Arts Theatre.
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Each venue played a unique role in the cultural life of Adelaide, and the support from Novatech helped lift their production capabilities and broaden the scope of events they were able to present during the festival.
The impact of the grants included the installation of upgraded lighting and audio systems, improved technical workflows, and the ability to accommodate more complex and technically demanding productions.
Fools Paradise hosted NIGHTRUNNER, a blend of laser, light and acrobatics. Photo: Aaron Walker
Several venues expanded their programming, attracted new talent, and hosted events they previously lacked the resources to support.
For many recipients, this support strengthened long-term planning and opened new creative and commercial opportunities.
Novatech Creative Event Technology managing director Leko Novakovic said the fund was designed to create a tangible impact for the venues that underpin South Australia’s live performance culture.
“We know that access to the right technology can be a game changer for small and independent venues,” Novakovic said.
“This fund was about giving them the tools to elevate their programming, not just for one season, but to build capability for the long term.
“It’s been incredibly rewarding to see how each venue applied the support to create high-quality experiences for artists and audiences alike.”
Fool’s Paradise co-director Tom Gorham said, “The Novatech Arts Innovation fund was crucial to the viability of Fool’s Paradise.”
“Electrical distribution and lighting hire are two of the biggest costs of putting up a temporary event.
“Novatech’s expertise and guidance helped us to create a brilliant atmosphere in the spaces in the event, all using state-of-the-art low-cost LED technology.”
Novatech Creative Event Technology’s commitment to industry development through targeted support reflected the vital role that production and infrastructure play in the arts ecosystem.
By enabling independent venues to scale up and refine their technical offering, Novatech contributed to a more resilient, future-focused arts sector in South Australia.
The Novatech Arts Innovation Fund formed part of Adelaide Fringe’s Fringe Forward Grants program, a broader initiative supported by philanthropic and corporate partners to empower venues and artists in delivering high-quality work and building capacity across the sector.
