EST. 1992

The Blue Fringe Arts Awards originated as the Adrienne Brown Awards in 1992. Adrienne had schizophrenia and found relief through her love of poetry, the arts and music. After her death in 1990, her family created the Awards in memory of Adrienne’s battle with schizophrenia. The family recognised the valuable role that artistic expression played in their daughter’s life. From this, emerged the Blue Fringe Art & Literature Festival, now in its 29th year.

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Through its life Blue Fringe has showcased the talents of thousands of poets, artists and story tellers. For many it is the first time they have shared their work publicly and for some the experience is life changing… 

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“The Blue Fringe Arts Prize totally changed the way I thought about myself. It gave me my self-confidence back”

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“Blue Fringe is an opportunity to be heard, to be seen. It opens up conversations. It brings mental illness out of the darkness and into the light”

BLUE FRINGE AIMS TO

-  celebrate of the creativity of people with a lived experience of mental illness
-  reduce the stigma associated with mental illness

-  create conversations about the benefit of creative pursuits for mental health and well-being
-  promote a more socially inclusive community
-  provide an opportunity to exhibit the work of emerging artists

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Blue Fringe Arts Festival is conducted by a committee which includes representatives from Neighbourhood Centres across the Blue Mountains, Stride (formerly Aftercare), Blue Mountains Women’s Health Centre and Volunteers from the community and the artist themselves. Truly a great partnership.

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This work is proudly supported by generous donations from local businesses and organisations. Without this important support the event would not be a success.

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