Ottawa's two-tier Fringe lottery sparks board resignations

Ottawa Fringe Festival's new two-tiered lottery system has split the independent theatre community, with at least two board members stepping down over the equity policy.

The festival announced in November that it would reserve at least 25 per cent of available slots for participants who self-identify as Indigenous, Black or People of Colour (IBPOC). The change was meant to strengthen equity in a festival known for its open-access model.

Playwright Kate Jaimet, whose comedy sketch show was selected for the 2024 Fringe through the traditional single-draw lottery, left her board role after the new system was announced. "The Fringe is one of very few places where an independent artist can, for a very low cost, produce a professional-calibre show," she said. "I believe this opportunity should be available equally to all artists. The result is, for example, that a Canadian of Chinese descent would have two chances to win a spot in the Fringe, where a Canadian of Ukrainian descent would have only one chance."

Under the new process, shows qualify for Phase 1 if the producer and at least half of the creative and performance team self-identify as IBPOC. Once 25 per cent of total spots are filled or applicants run out, any IBPOC artists who didn't win Phase 1 enter a second lottery for the remaining 75 per cent of slots.

Festival executive and artistic director Alain Richer declined to be interviewed but said in a statement the response has been "overwhelmingly positive."

The debate reflects broader tensions in Ottawa's arts community about how to balance access with representation.