藝穗節自1947年於愛丁堡誕生後,經過半個世紀多的發展已成為世界最大的藝術節活動,許多城市也相繼仿效舉辦。不篩選節目、開放表演機會的特點,讓藝穗節成為創意、前衛、或獨立藝術代名詞,為鼓勵創作、培養藝術家的一種重要管道,這是許多藝穗節受到政府政策補助,或直接由政府政策倡導主辦的主因,許多城市也會依照自己的文化背景而略微調整藝穗節的運作機制。 臺北市自2008年起開始舉辦藝穗節,由政府政策建立的臺北藝穗節可以顯示出當時文化政策對於藝術節活動的重視;政策如何從各方面給予支援,策展單位如何讓參與者的動機與活動定位能夠結合,將是影響臺北藝穗節能否成長、擴大發展之關鍵。
Festival Fringe was initiated in Edinburgh in 1947. After more than half a century, it has become the largest arts festival in the world. Many cities hold their own Fringe Festivals. The characteristics of no artistic vetting and open-access make many Fringe Festivals the synonym of originality, avant-garde, and independent arts. Fringe Festival becomes an important platform to encourage creations and bring up artists; that is the reason why many governments provide grants to support, or host Fringe Festivals directly. Many cities adjust the operations of Fringe Festival depending on their own cultural background. Taipei Fringe Festival, held since 2008, was established by Taipei City Government, showing that the cultural policy was putting an emphasis on arts festivals. How policies support the Taipei Fringe Festival, and how the organizer makes the orientation will be the key points to affect future development of Taipei Fringe Festival.