Dempster appointed new MWF director
Outgoing director of the Emerging Writers’ Festival (EWF) Lisa Dempster has been appointed as the new director of Melbourne Writers Festival (MWF).
MWF festival chairman Michael Webster said in a statement today that Dempster will start in the role in October, following this year’s festival. As previously reported by Bookseller+Publisher, MWF announced earlier this year that this year’s festival would be the last for current director and CEO Steve Grimwade.
Webster described Dempster as one of Australia’s most exciting programmers and said she inspired the festival board with her ambition for the festival.
‘Lisa already has runs on the board as a programmer, team leader and ambassador for an important cultural institution and we are very excited about her plans for the Melbourne Writers Festival,’ said Webster. ‘Steve Grimwade has done a terrific job consolidating the festival’s position as one of Australia’s most anticipated arts festivals and his final festival will wow audiences when it opens next week. Lisa is precisely the right person to now take the baton, and take the festival into its next chapter.’
Dempster has been appointed to the role for three years and will deliver the 2013, 2014 and 2015 festivals. EWF announced earlier this year that the 2012 festival would be Dempster’s last. Dempster was appointed EWF director in 2009, replacing David Ryding.
The 2012 MWF will run between 23 August and 2 September.
Category: Local news
