As most of you will know, these are challenging times for Writing NSW, due to the state government’s recent decision to discontinue our multi-year funding at the end of this year. Our staff and Board have been working hard to find a way forward for the organisation in light of this decision. We have had some constructive preliminary discussions with the Minister for the Arts, Don Harwin, and hope to have more news on that front in coming weeks.

Through this tumultuous period, our staff have remained focused on continuing to support you, the diverse writers and storytellers of our state. With the cancellation of face-to-face programs due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the team has swiftly rolled out an array of online learning, networking and information programs as well as ground-breaking online events. 

We want to maintain everything we do to support writers in 2021 and beyond. As the world faces turbulent times, we need your creativity, your inspiration, and your stories, more than ever. We at Writing NSW want to be part of that for as long as we can.

I am happy to let you know that the Writing NSW Board has therefore committed to continuing our important work for at least the first half of 2021. We are able to do this because prudent management by our staff and Board has helped us to build modest financial reserves in recent years. In the absence of ongoing government support, those reserves will allow us to keep going for the first six months of next year, giving us time to look for an alternative way forward. 

We are already planning an exciting program of courses, events and opportunities to network with industry between now and next June. Keep an eye on Newsbite  and our website for announcements.

It has been a difficult few months for all of us at Writing NSW, but we have been moved and inspired by the support we have received from you, the writing community. So many of you have written to your local MPs and to the Minister or got in touch to tell us how vital we are to your careers as writers. You can find out more about what you can do to help the #SaveWritingNSW campaign here.

With best wishes and our thanks for your ongoing support,

Joel Naoum

Chair, Writing NSW

Stay up to date on the #SaveWritingNSW campaign here

Read the lastest update about our meeting with NSW Minister for the Arts, Don Harwin here.