The 1990 Fringe was held for three weeks from February 23 - March 18.

1990 was an important turning point for the Fringe as this year saw many changes. The Community Employment Program had been abolished and the austere financial times meant the Fringe faced a large scale reduction in resources, and a challenge to make the 1990 Fringe a success in a difficult time.

The announcement of the development of the Living Arts Centre site meant that this Festival would be the last one held with so many performing and visual arts venues on site. It was the end of an era but the start of a truly dynamic development in the Adelaide arts scene of which the Fringe was proud to be an integral part in both its inception and future.

This Fringe Festival had total attendances of 286,645 and 1,200 participating artists performing or exhibiting in 67 venues.

Although there was a large reduction in resources, the 1990 Fringe was a success. The Fringe Board, under the Chairmanship of Simon Stretton, instituted a number of policies which enabled the challenge of reduced resources to be met.

1990 Fringe Highlights:
Performances and events ranged from cutting edge cabaret and revue to theatre, dance, drama and music from artists hailing from all over the world, including the United Kingdom, New Zealand, India and more.
 
The Fringe was launched in spectacular fashion with the Fringe Opening Night Party in Rundle Street, in Adelaide's East End. There was an emphasis on family involvement.
 
The Fringe Club was back with a vengeance after winning the 1988 Advertiser Best of the Fringe Awards.
 
One of the highlights of the Club this year was the inclusion of special nights which highlighted Aboriginal and women performers.
 
The main Fringe Theatre venues at the Lion Arts Centre (LAC) were the Wetpack Theatre, Little Sisters, Zerospace and the Lion Theatre.
 
Visual Arts also had a high profile at the LAC with the Loft, Mezzanine and Underground Galleries spearheading a significant visual arts presence in the 1990 Fringe.
 
The Fringe Youth and Education Program again played an integral role in enabling schools throughout the state to gain access to Fringe performances in their schools or special theatre performances.
 
The exciting Port on the Fringe project also involved the community in a variety of Fringe events.
 
Also, this year saw the introduction of a Fringe Information Service which provided up-to-date information on Fringe attractions. This augmented BASS ticketing.

Malcom Blaylock was the Director and Sam Harvey, Administrator.

Visual Arts received the first 1990 Advertiser Critics Award.

The first 1990 Fringe Critics Awards was made to Piers Ackerman, editor of the Advertiser. See Press release

Sources:
1990 Fringe Guide
1990 Adelaide Festival Economic Impact (Volume 1 Summary) report: TSA 90/1 published by The Centre For South Australian Economic Studies
Focus; Adelaide Festival Fringe Inc – Annual report 1989 – 1990 Media Highlights