Last Fringe For Tim Renner

Last Fringe For Tim Renner

Fringe Festival director Tim Renner announced today that he has resigned to take up the position of Faculty Manager at Whitireia Polytechnic's Faculty of Arts and Communications. The new job will see him phasing in Polytechnic responsibilities from 4th February while he continues to supervise the running of the Fringe 04 Festival.

"I love the Fringe, the passion people put into their productions, the energy, skill and plain old creative nouse," says Tim Renner. "I will always treasure the time and people of the festival: the artists, the wonderful Trust board, the businesses who back the fringe, the venues. It has been an unmatched experience. But there is no time for nostalgia yet, I have a great festival to finish!"

"I think it is healthy for a festival to change directors, it assists with vision and growth. I am looking forward to a more formal role in arts development and a new challenge: pushing more students from Whitireia into the Fringe, into art galleries, venues and the spotlight."

Tim Renner was employed as Fringe Festival director in July 2002 after a career that has included directorships of the Riddoch Art Museum in South Australia, the Fisher Gallery in Manukau City, and the Auckland International Cultural Festival, after completing an M.A. in English and undertaking an MBA from SCU in New South Wales.

"We're sorry to see Tim go," says Fringe Arts Trust co-chair Mark Cubey, "but we wish him all the best. Fringe is about change and development, and Tim has done much in his time with the Fringe."

Tim's departure continues the trend that has seen former Fringe directors and staff move into key management positions within the arts sector.

"While we will miss Tim's expertise, dedication, and motivation," says Cubey, "the Fringe Arts Trust recognise that the director's job is an extremely demanding position, with consequent turnover. Tim has continued the success of last year's festival by delivering another quality event, and has built on the good work completed by his predecessor Glenda Tuaine. Fringe is in good shape to move forward."

As well as completing the core mission of delivering the annual open access festival Tim Renner worked with key sponsor Breathe Communications to deliver the Fringe a "virtual office" system for 2004, which put key elements of the Fringe operation online, enabling a more flexible work environment.

This year's Fringe programme was launched on Thursday 22 January at St Andrew's on the Terrace. Fringe 04: Revelations opens on February 14 and runs for four weeks.

The Fringe Arts Trust Board will being recruiting the position of Fringe Director once Fringe 04 closes.

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