Melbourne Writers Festival seeks donors and donations of all sizes
Melbourne Writers Festival has kicked off its 2015 donor campaign and announced a new Principal Patron inspired to support the next generation of readers and writers.
Festival Director Lisa Dempster said MWF is celebrating its 30th anniversary this year and is planning for the future. ‘Part of our work is trying to ensure we receive the income we rely on to survive and flourish.
‘I think sometimes people can feel like they need to be really wealthy in order to contribute to the arts.
‘That’s not the case with the Melbourne Writers Festival – we need donations and donors, of all sizes.’
Dempster said she was proud to be announcing a new Principal Patron, publishing consultant Jim Hart, who will donate $250,000 over three years to the Festival.
Hart said he was pleased to have the opportunity to help secure the Festival’s future. ‘Melbourne is a great city for literature and the arts, but many people don’t realise cultural organisations such as Melbourne Writers Festival rely on donations to survive,’ he said. ‘I am delighted to be MWF’s Principal Patron and hope others will join me on this rewarding path.’
Dempster said donations help the Melbourne Writers Festival to keep around a quarter of its events free, and pay for the English as Another Language program for students, as well as ticket and transport subsidies for students from disadvantaged areas.
To make a donation visit mwf.com.au where you can donate as an Enthusiast ($20), Citizen ($120), Guardian ($1000), Champion ($5000), Ambassador ($10,000) or Patron ($25,000+)
