The Vancouver Writers Fest continues to build literary bridges in uncertain times, bringing renowned authors and emerging voices together with tens of thousands of enthusiastic readers each year. Development Manager Ashleigh Withall, who joined in July 2024, the organization pursues its vision of using “the transformative power of books and ideas” to create “an empathetic, inspired, and just society.” Despite economic pressures and shifting political landscapes affecting arts funding across Canada, the festival celebrated one of its most well-attended events in its history in 2024, bolstered by passionate patron support that carried it through pandemic challenges.
Describe your charity/non-profit/volunteer work in a few sentences.
The Vancouver Writers Fest envisions a world in which the transformative power of books and ideas creates the foundation of an empathetic, inspired, and just society. Our mission is to connect people to exceptional books, ideas, and dialogue through year-round programming that ignites a passion for words and the world around us. Our flagship Festival is one of the largest and most prestigious in North America; every October, we bring acclaimed, established, and emerging writers from across Canada and the world to Granville Island, where they connect
with tens of thousands of enthusiastic readers. Our year-round programming includes the Books & Ideas literary and social series on Granville Island; the Incite series presented free of charge in partnership with VPL; special events featuring the biggest names in contemporary Canadian and international literature; and programming for youth of all ages, including Writers in the Classroom which brings authors to schools across the lower mainland, and two youth writing contests.
What problem does it aim to solve?
Our program provides platforms for authors at every stage of their professional careers to share their work and the ideas behind it with enthusiastic readers. Local authors can connect with international talents that they might not have otherwise discovered, and visiting authors can draw inspiration from local writers and the beautiful BC landscape. Audiences can discover more about challenging topics directly from the experts who write about them in safer spaces that encourage meaningful discussion from various viewpoints.
When did you start/join it?
July 2024
What made you want to get involved?
As an arts fundraiser, I am passionate about creating opportunities for artists of every practice to share their work with enthusiastic audiences. Providing platforms for the presentation of shared cultural experiences that cultivate empathy and an open-minded environment for the sharing of ideas is one of the most effective ways I know to create positive change. I feel so much personal alignment with Writers Fest’s stated vision: “A world in which the transformative power of books and ideas is the foundation of an empathetic, inspired and just society”.
What was the situation like when you started?
When I joined the Writers Fest team I was astounded by the levels of generosity and support that we receive from our patrons. The arts sector in Vancouver was put under immense strain during the pandemic with cultural organizations across the board struggling to deliver their missions and keep audiences. Writers Fest has some incredibly passionate supporters who helped to ensure that the festival could continue even in the most challenging times. 2024 was one of the most well attended Festivals in the organization’s history.
How has it changed since?
The arts funding landscape across Canada is in flux, with economic challenges and changes in political leadership meaning an uncertain year for organizations like ours that rely in part on government grants. Earlier this year we joined with other organizations across the province and were successful in requesting that key funding for cultural events be maintained.
What more needs to be done?
While broader support for artists and arts organizations lifts up all of the necessary cultural work done in our city, we also hope to see greater awareness and support for local authors, bookstores, and the Canadian publishing industry. We are lucky to live in a province with so many talented homegrown writers, both emerging and internationally bestselling. Going to a local author’s book launch, buying their books from an independent bookstore, and spreading the word about your favourites, all support a healthy local industry in which people can voice and discover transformative ideas, and the next generation of readers and writers can flourish.
Where can we follow you?
Subscribe to our mailing list! You have the option of signing up for our weekly newsletter with updates about our programming along with other news from the literary world, or less frequent Festival-only or year-round news.
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PAY IT FORWARD: What is an awesome local charity that you love?
We’re inspired by the work of the Writers’ Exchange, a community that offers engaging literacy programs for under-resourced kids and youth. For the past two years, we’ve worked with them to feature delightful short pieces by their young authors in our Festival venues. They offer fun volunteer opportunities for anyone who wants to help kids get excited about reading and writing. You don’t need to be a writer!
