The Emerging Writers’ Festival work, learn and play largely on the land of the Kulin nation, and pay our respects to their Elders, past and present.

EWF celebrates the history and creativity of the world’s oldest living culture.

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‘If you’re an up-and-coming writer, this is the place to get your foot in the door… as you’ll make invaluable connections within Melbourne’s thriving emerging literary scene.’

-ArtsHub on Emerging Writers’ Festival

Guest Curatorship

About the Role

This is a curation opportunity with a one-off curatorial payment provided for an Emerging First Nations Producer, who is interested in dipping their toes into literary and festival programming, with a national festival.
Since 2018, EWF has been committed to programming First Nations Artists and Writers for the Opening Night Gala of the festival – an important cornerstone of our organisation’s programming and ethos. In 2023, EWF worked with the inaugural Guest Curator, Maya Hodge, who curated the Opening Night Gala event ‘Truth Telling’. Following an incredible and warm reception of this event, EWF is excited to open Expressions of Interest for the next Guest Curator.

Key Project Responsibilities

  • Take the lead-on programming the 2024 Opening Night Gala event including: theme, structure, and artists. EWF will take the lead on venue and other operational elements, as well as detailed required by funding (eg. Additional guest speakers), but the artistic direction of the event will be determined and lead by the Guest Curator.
  • Sourcing, contracting, briefing, liaising and supporting artists for the event in the lead up to and during the event (with support and resources from the EWF team)
  • Attend Emerging Writers’ Festival meetings as required (remote options available)
  • Provide some feedback on the process and expereince of the Guest Curatorship, after the festival reporting period

Optional: EWF encourages the Guest Curator to also apear in their event. If this is the case there will be an additional artist fee provided, as per EWF’s artist fee scale.

For full Terms & Conditions please fully read the Guest Curatorship position description below.

Apply here

Expressions of Interest for this position close 11:59PM AEDT, 1 April 2024.


Other Opportunities

2024 Festival Focus Group

This year, EWF is moving away from our previous method of community consultation (Program Advisory Committee), towards a more well-rounded Focus Group style of gathering feedback on our programming and operations.

We want your perspective and this Festival Focus Group will allow us to build a small community of 2024 festival consultants and offer each participant an honorarium of $75 for their contribution.

Meetings will be 6pm AEST/AEDT on April 3, May 8 and July 10. Digital and in-person options are available, with simple catering provided for in-person attendees.

If you are interested in being part of the Focus Group(s), please fill out this Expression of Interest! We will get back to you in due time with more information.

Any questions, please email info@emergingwritersfestival.org.au with ‘EWF Festival Focus Group EOI Query’ as your subject line.

Expressions of Interest close 5PM AEST, Monday 11 March 2024.

Apply here!