Kroetsch to step down as AWW director

Adelaide Writers’ Week (AWW) director Laura Kroetsch will step down from the role after the 2018 festival, which runs from 3-8 March.

Kroetsch was appointed in 2010 to direct the 2012 festival, when it moved from a biennial to an annual format, and has overseen the event for the past seven years.

Chair of Adelaide Festival Judy Potter said AWW has ‘developed significantly’ under Kroetsch’s direction. ‘Laura’s high level of skill in curating the event, together with a significant expansion of nonfiction, current affairs and commentary components, has ensured that Adelaide Writers’ Week is an event that deals with ideas and issues that really matter,’ said Potter.

Kroetsch said she was proud of the ‘many activations’ she brought to the festival, including ‘the opportunity to connect with our audiences through educational programs with schools, family friendly sessions and issues-focused lunchtime and evening sessions’.

‘I am grateful to all the writers, chair people and audiences I’ve had the privilege of sharing the event with over the years,’ said Kroetsch. ‘Adelaide Writers’ Week is a precious event, one that is utterly unique here in Australia … From 2018 onwards I’m looking forward to the next adventure, which I can most certainly say will involve books!’

The Adelaide Festival will begin recruiting for a new director towards the end of 2017.

AWW has also announced that US author Cory Doctorow will be added to the 2018 festival line-up, alongside previously announced authors Barbara Kingsolver, Alan Hollinghurst and Kamila Shamsie, among others. The full program will be announced in January.

Category: Local news