The Program is designed to give students from disadvantaged or regional and remote communities access to the arts through subsidised ticketing, transport, or touring performances, helping remove financial and geographic barriers to participation.

In 2025, the program allowed 47 schools to either travel to shows, or host touring shows at their school. More than 4,000 subsidised tickets were issued.

For 2026, the Department for Education has increased the funding to the program by 50 percent. This will allow more schools from outer metropolitan Adelaide to participate, while a touring program for regional and remote schools is being developed, including schools in remote Aboriginal communities.

The Fringe Schools Equity Program seeks to reinforce classroom learning by integrating live arts experiences that foster creativity, collaboration and emotional literacy, as well as confidence and curiosity vital for lifelong learning. By participating in live performance students are exposed to a sense of social connection, empathy and inclusion. Shows selected for the program also encourage creative reflection, and cultural learning.

Ella Huisman, Adelaide Fringe's Executive Director - Audience said, “Engaging with the arts can have enormous benefits for children and young people, but whether for financial or geographic reasons, access to live performance often isn’t possible.”

“The shows students can attend thanks to this equity partnership, unlock the imagination, creative thinking, curiosity and discussions around social and cultural inclusion. We are grateful to the Department for Education for their support in the programs’ expansion in 2026.”