SCHOOL pupils in Stirling are being encouraged to enter a competition and inspire the cover of the Edinburgh Festival Fringe programme.

The Edinburgh Festival Fringe Society plans to relaunch the fringe schools poster competition, supported by Virgin Money, that will see winning entries provide the inspiration for three individual cover designs for the 2017 fringe programme.

Shona McCarthy, chief executive of the Edinburgh Festival Fringe Society said: “The Fringe schools poster competition has been an integral part of the Fringe for 36 years and we are very proud that the competition is one of the longest running arts outreach programmes in Scotland. To coincide with the Fringe’s 70th anniversary celebrations, we are relaunching the competition and offering three pupils from Scottish schools a unique opportunity to inspire three cover designs for the official 2017 Fringe programme.

“The Fringe prides itself on its ability to applaud diversity, promote inclusivity and inspire creativity in those who take part. The Fringe schools poster competition was established with these values at its core, encouraging children to get creative. Next year promises to be a very special year for the Fringe and I am delighted that we will be revealing not just one, but three individual programme covers, inspired by school pupils in Scotland.”

The work of the three winners, and 14 regional winners, will be featured in an exhibition of shortlisted entries that will take place at Dynamic Earth in Edinburgh between May and August 2017 before touring throughout Scotland.

This year’s competition will be judged in three different age categories, P1 to P3, P4 to P7 and S1 – S6.

Pupils are unrestricted in their creativity; photographs, poems, animations – all forms of expressive arts – will be accepted as potential sources of inspiration.

The Edinburgh Festival Fringe Society has engaged illustrator, community artist and theatre-maker Jon Bishop, who works under the moniker The Grey Earl, to champion the competition.

Jon, known for his popular illustrations including the Batboy and Stars are Braw series, lead a continuous professional learning session for teachers in Edinburgh last week.

He will also sit on the competition’s judging panel and attend the prize-giving ceremony as guest of honour.

Jon said: “I was thrilled to be asked to champion the 2017 Fringe schools poster competition. The competition is a fantastic initiative to get children thinking creatively and a great opportunity to encourage them to express themselves, be that through designing a poster, taking a photo, or writing a poem. I am really looking forward to seeing what schoolchildren across the country come up with, inspired by the array of colours and variety that the Fringe provides.”

School pupils have until March 3 2017 to submit their entries.