Rep. for biggest arts festival in the world recruiting in Mpls.

A representative of the biggest arts festival in the world is in Minneapolis hoping to attract both performers and arts administrators to attend.

Christabel Anderson, head of Participant Services for the Edinburgh Fringe Festival in Scotland, said this year's event will feature over 2,500 shows and she hopes to include Minnesota performers in the festival.

"It's about keeping the diversity of the fringe up I think, and one of the things that is so special about it is the amount of international artists who come," Anderson said. "We really want to keep that going and encourage American artists to come over."

Anderson met with local performers Friday evening at the Minneapolis Theater Garage. She will also meet with staff at the Guthrie Theater, the Walker Art Center, and the Northrop Auditorium to encourage them to take scouting trips to Edinburgh.

"We are really keen to get the arts buyers in the U.S. to come over because absolutely we think they will find things suitable for their programs and that's a great way to get the Edinburgh artists out into the world," she said.

She said she can't provide financial support, but the festival can provide help in finding venues and equipment for visiting performers.