Kelly Straughan to Depart Toronto Fringe for Workman Arts

Announced today by the Board of Directors of Toronto Fringe, Kelly Straughan will be leaving her post as Executive Director of Toronto Fringe effective July 28th, 2017 to become the Artistic/Executive Director of Workman Arts.

Kelly Straughan took over as Executive Director of The Toronto Fringe in 2012 and in that time has stewarded the organization through a period of great growth and change including:

- The launch of Fringe's national crowdfunding platform FWYC (Fund What You Can), which has, to-date, raised over $850,000 for the arts sector.

- Spearheading the launch of the new Fringe Club location at Scadding Court Community Centre.

- Implementing the Fringe's first ever 3-year Strategic Plan.

- Going paperless at the box office by adding cutting-edge technology at all 35 Fringe Festival venues.

- Launching the FringeKids Club (now called KidsFest Club) in 2014.

- Three of the highest-selling Fringe Festivals back-to-back.

- Three of the highest-selling Next Stage Theatre Festivals.

Kelly is also the President of the Canadian Association of Fringe Festivals (CAFF), which has 32 member festivals across North America. Kelly will be stepping down as President effective July 28th, 2017.

"My departure is bittersweet," says Executive Director Kelly Straughan. "My time at the Fringe has been the most satisfying of my career and I'm very proud of what we have accomplished. I will miss my Fringe family including the excellent staff, steadfast Board of Directors, talented artists and dedicated patrons. While I will see the 2017 Fringe Festival through to its conclusion, it will be very difficult to say good-bye."

Spencer Saunders, President of the Toronto Fringe Board of Directors, says: "Kelly has been a phenomenal Executive Director for the Fringe over the last 5 years and has, without a doubt, taken the organization to new heights. Under her leadership the Fringe Festival has grown from a grassroots event to a leading and innovative theatre festival. While we are sorry to see her go, we wish her nothing but the best in her new role and position at Workman Arts. They are incredibly lucky to have her."

Kelly will continue to lead the Toronto Fringe during the upcoming festival, this July 5-16, 2017. This festival will be the largest in the organization's history, and sees the popular Fringe Club moving from Honest Ed's to Scadding Court Community Centre - the largest, most visible and most accessible Fringe Club ever.

As the Artistic/Executive Director of Workman Arts, Kelly will be at the helm of the longest-running multidisciplinary arts and mental health organization in Canada and in the world. Kelly will be taking over from founder Lisa Brown and will lead Workman through a time of unprecedented change for the organization including the new "Centre for Excellence," which will be located the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH). This state-of-the-art facility is slated to open in 2020 and will include a 300-seat theatre, a visual arts gallery, artist studios, digital media studios and rehearsal spaces. The new space will be a local hub for Workman's 300+ members and an international hub for arts and mental health organizations from across the globe.

"We wanted someone who could take Workman Arts to the next level at the unique crossroad of art and mental health and wellness," said the Chair of the Workman Arts Board of Directors Patrick Manley. "Kelly is a proven leader in the arts community who understands the needs and the vision of a charitable arts organization."

The Toronto Fringe Board of Directors will be announcing an executive search shortly. A job description and application details will be available on the Toronto Fringe's jobs page in the coming weeks, at fringetoronto.com/get-involved/work-with-us.

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