Newcastle Writers Festival appoints Tristan Sharp and Amy Lovat to leadership

Newy 87.8 FM – Newcastle Writers Festival has announced Tristan Sharp as its new Managing Director and Amy Lovat as Artistic Director.

Mr Sharp brings more than 25 years' experience in leadership roles across the cultural, corporate and public sectors. He has most recently worked as an advisor to government and cultural institutions, and has held senior positions with the Central Coast Conservatorium of Music, Australian Classification Board, Museum of Applied Arts and Sciences (Powerhouse Museum) and Newcastle Art Gallery.

Ms Lovat steps into the Artistic Director role after three years as the festival's Program Manager. She brings festival programming and curatorial expertise, relationships across the Australian literary sector, and an understanding of the festival's audiences and artistic vision.

Newcastle Writers Festival President Kate Robinson said the appointments marked an exciting new chapter for the organisation.

"Together, Tristan and Amy bring complementary strengths in strategic leadership and artistic direction that will build on the Festival's remarkable legacy while continuing to evolve and strengthen its program for audiences, writers and the community," she said.

The appointments follow the departure of Founding Director Rosemarie Milsom, who was appointed Director of Adelaide Writers' Week in May.

The festival acknowledged the Awabakal and Worimi peoples, the Traditional Custodians of the land on which the festival takes place.

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