McGuire appointed SWF artistic director

The Sydney Writers’ Festival (SWF) has appointed Michaela McGuire as its artistic director, taking over the curation of the 2017 festival.

McGuire will leave her role as director and co-CEO of the Emerging Writers’ Festival to join SWF in December. She replaced outgoing artistic director Jemma Birrell, who announced she was stepping down from the position in August after overseeing the past four festivals.

In a statement, SWF board chairperson Deena Shiff said McGuire ‘brings new energy and perspectives to the task of curating the Sydney Writers’ Festival’. ‘We are confident that Michaela’s wide interests and ability to present both established and emerging writers will surprise and delight our audiences,’ said Shiff.

McGuire is a journalist, director, programmer, curator and the author of three books. She co-founded the Women of Letters salon in 2010, and has programmed more than 160 sold-out shows in Australia and overseas.

In a statement, McGuire said she’s ‘honoured to be joining the passionate team’ at SWF. ‘As SWF heads into its 20th year, I hope to program a celebration that befits the organisation’s reputation as a world-renowned literary festival, and also introduce a new generation of audiences to the smart, eclectic, passionate and surprising voices that inspire the national conversation,’ said McGuire.

Executive Director Jo Dyer has also been promoted to the role of CEO and will join the board of directors. The 2017 festival runs from 22-28 May.

Category: Local news