The New South Wales government has announced a $1.5 million investment to establish a dedicated literature hub in Sydney, aiming to rival Melbourne's Wheeler Centre and boost the city's literary scene. The hub, based at the State Library of NSW, will fund 75 Sydney Writers' Festival events over the next 12 months, creating a year-round program.
Arts minister John Graham said the hub would provide an inclusive platform for diverse communities, amplifying underrepresented voices and strengthening connections between writers and readers. The initiative seeks to address missed opportunities in Sydney, where authors visiting for other events often go without local literary engagement.
Creative director Ann Mossop described the program as 'a little taste of the festival almost every week,' drawing from Australia's deep literary talent pool and international authors. Confirmed participants include Stella Prize winner Michelle de Kretser, Hannah Kent, former Greens leader Bob Brown, and novelists Melanie Saward and Saman Shad.
Events will begin in September, with more announced on 14 August. The recently refurbished 344-seat auditorium beneath the Mitchell Library reading room will serve as the main venue, with free and family events extending to other library spaces.
Graham emphasised the role of libraries as homes for readers and writers, transforming solitary reading into a community experience. The investment aims to strengthen Sydney's cultural heartbeat, creating a permanent home for literary discussion and discovery.
