Canning to step down as Fringe World CEO

Artrage chief executive Marcus Canning has announced he will leave his role at the end of next year’s Fringe World Festival.

Mr Canning has been the chief executive of Artrage, the parent organisation of the Fringe World Festival, for 17 years.

He announced the decision last night at Artrage’s annual general meeting, citing a desire to focus on his family and other projects.

Mr Canning is currently involved in the development of the four-level Rechabite entertainment complex, which is under construction on William Street in Northbridge.

The Rechabite is scheduled to open next September and is being developed in partnership with Adrian Fini.

During his tenure, Mr Canning helped launch and develop the Fringe World Festival, Rooftop Movies, the Bakery live music venue and the East Perth-based Girls School Cinema.

Launched in 2011, Fringe World has grown to become the world’s third largest arts festival in terms of ticket sales.

Mr Canning was a 40under40 winner in 2007, and the winner of the 2017 Western Australian of the Year award in the arts and culture category.

“My time with Artrage has been a fantastic adventure and I’m extremely proud of everything that the team and I have accomplished and the positive impact we have made,” Mr Canning said.

“When I started with Artrage I was a 28 year old with a love of Perth and its potential.

“I could never have foreseen how the organisation would evolve and grow over the coming decades and the difference we would make.”

Artrage chair Anthony Robinson said the search for its next chief executive was being promoted locally and internationally.

“We are casting the recruitment net right across the world as we believe leading Artrage and the Fringe World Festival with this fantastic team in this fantastic city will be attractive to the world’s best and brightest,” he said.