Gilded Balloon are delighted to be relaunching the So You Think You’re Funny? Artist Development programme in 2026 as part of their charitable organisation – Gilded Balloon Futures Ltd.
Support towards So You Think You’re Funny? Artist Development programme goes towards some of the costs of the competition and subsequent development opportunities offered to participating performers. Gilded Balloon began the competition back in 1988 to discover new talent, and ever since, the onward development opportunities have been limited by the limited funds Gilded Balloon could invest in the project. In 2025, as part of their 40th Anniversary, Gilded Balloon relaunched their charitable organisation – Gilded Balloon Futures – to raise funds towards both So You Think You’re Funny? Artist Development programme And their Show Support Fund (more info on the Show Support Fund can be found here).
Gilded Balloon’s mission statement for the programme give further detail on who the development programme is for.
“So You Think You’re Funny? aims to celebrate, nurture and support brand-new comedy talent by providing both performance and development opportunities to help further their artistic progression in the live comedy industry.”
By supporting this project it will help Gilded Balloon do more to support the artists that come through the programme as well as supporting the creative producing costs of delivering the artist development program. It also contributes towards the accommodation and travel costs for up to five performers from the development program removing one of the single highest costs and barriers they face to participating at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe.
Donors, funders and supporters can support specific strands of the project as a category partner such as accommodation at relatively low levels of funding. In supporting this project by donating to the charitable Gilded Balloon Futures company, So You Think You’re Funny? will strengthen its offering and opportunities to artists further with over 30 years of experience in supporting artists.
Anyone applying to the So You Think You’re Funny? Competition each year will be eligible to get support from the artist support programme.
The support focuses on performers as they progress as artists starting with working on their 7 min sets in the competition to 20 min sets as part of Best of So You Think You’re Funny? all the way up to performing their debut hour at the Fringe.
Finalists of the competition, who are in their first year of performing, are considered for the onward opportunities of performing in Best of So You Think You’re Funny? A fully funded performance opportunity at the Fringe the following year where they can hone a 20 min set and experience the Fringe risk-free.
Or for some that are ready to, they the programme funds their debut solo show at the Fringe with support taking multiple forms whether its mentorship, support securing previews or production management of their show including paying the upfront costs of accommodation, travel, marketing, PR and so many other costs new artists need to consider.
In 2026, we are delighted to have the support from Lumo Trains as the travel partner to the project. Shows that have been supported by this year’s travel partner include.
Gilded Balloon Futures continue to fundraise to further the support we can give these shows and others in the future. We are applying to all previous finalists, winners and runners-up, if they are able to, to donate to future generations that come through So You Think You’re Funny?
The SYTYF? Artist Development programme is one of the initiatives Gilded Balloon’s charitable organisation, Gilded Balloon Futures, has been relaunched to deliver. Gilded Balloon Futures is a registered charity company the Gilded Balloon initially set up in the wake of the fire that burnt down the Gilded Balloon in Cowgate. This charitable organisation was relaunched at the end of 2025 as part of the 40th Anniversary celebrations to help further Gilded Balloon’s artist development projects.
Money raised by Gilded Balloon Futures will go towards two main initiatives, the So You Think You’re Funny? Artist Development programme and/or Show Support Fund.
Funds raised go towards existing project strands such as accommodation or travel costs or towards other costs facing shows doing their debut performance at the Fringe who came through the development programme. Get in touch with Gilded Balloon Artistic Directors directly over email and we’d love to chat about how you’d like to contribute towards So You Think You’re Funny? to further support artists we work with hiya@gildedballoon.co.uk
Alongside the So You Think You’re Funny? Artist Development Programme, we are also looking for support for the Show Support Fund, a new initiative launched with a generous donation from Tim Minchin and his wife Sarah, designed to help artists overcome the continued financial barriers of bringing work to the Edinburgh Festival Fringe. More information can be found on this on the website – https://gildedballoon.co.uk/contact/support-us
