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Today we announce that after four years as Artistic Director, Ann Mossop will step down from her role leading the festival’s programming.
Since joining the Festival in 2022, Ann has brought together some of the world’s most respected writers, thinkers and storytellers, while helping us welcome new audiences and younger generations of readers into our Festival community. The past two Festivals have been the most successful in our history, with record-breaking attendance and ticket sales.
Ann has made an extraordinary contribution to our organisation and Australia’s literary and cultural landscape through her curatorial vision, editorial rigour and commitment to ambitious public conversations. Ann has helped shape not only what appears on our stages, but how audiences engage with literature, ideas and each other. Her influence on this organisation will be felt for many years to come. We are deeply grateful for her contribution and we are saddened to see her leave.
Ann’s connection to Sydney Writers’ Festival spans almost three decades. She was involved in establishing the Festival as an independent organisation in 1998 and has since supported the organisation in various capacities, including as a Board member, programmer and, most recently, Artistic Director.
Reflecting on her time at the Festival, Ann said, “it has been a great source of joy and satisfaction to serve as Artistic Director of Sydney Writers’ Festival, a festival that I have always believed in and loved as an audience member, Board member and programmer.”
“I want to thank the writers and thinkers who have accepted my invitations to take part in vital conversations; the publishers who continue to support our work; our extraordinary volunteers; our loyal audiences who continue to show up for the writers and ideas they love; our generous supporters; and, of course, the remarkable Festival team whose dedication and passion make everything possible.
“I love this festival and have supported it for decades. That won’t change. I am very much looking forward to experiencing the 2027 Festival from the audience alongside fellow book lovers.”
Ann will continue to oversee Sydney Writers’ Festival’s 2026 year-round programming, including its partnership with the State Library of New South Wales, and will remain in the role until a new Artistic Director is appointed.
Sydney Writers’ Festival will now commence an international search for its next Artistic Director. The Festival welcomes expressions of interest from outstanding literary and cultural leaders who share its commitment to ambitious programming, public conversation, and literary excellence. Interested candidates are encouraged to contact Tony Grierson at AEGEUS Executive Search for further information: [email protected] or 02 9053 8866.