Emerging Writers’ Festival appoints new Artistic Director

Ruby-Rose Pivet-Marsh - courtesy of the Emerging Writers’ FestivalThe Emerging Writers’ Festival has announced the appointment of Ruby-Rose Pivet-Marsh as the organisation’s new Artistic Director.

Ruby has been a Creative Producer, Digital Producer and Associate Producer on the EWF team since 2018. She brings to the role a wealth of programming experience and a passion for community and supporting emerging creatives.

Ruby is a writer, producer and community organiser from Melbourne’s inner-West. Her practice centres on storytelling; often through lenses of identity, connection, personal experiences and popular culture. Her writing has been featured in the anthology #MeToo: Stories from the Australian Movement, Beat Magazine, Gusher Magazine, SBS, The Lifted Brow, VICE and more.

“The Emerging Writers’ Festival is an organisation I have so much fondness and appreciation for, and being the Artist Director is something that excites and enthuses me as I look to the future of the festival,” says Ruby. “I’m keen to bring a perspective that is my lived experience as a queer person of colour in the arts, which I feel is integral to the work I do.”

“I’m dedicated to creating safe and inclusive environments, particularly as EWF is an organisation I admire and have a great confidence in when looking towards the future of the arts, and how it supports and includes emerging practitioners.”

Ruby succeeds outgoing Artistic Director Izzy Roberts-Orr after three wonderful years. Under her leadership the festival will explore interdisciplinary storytelling practices, traverse digital landscapes and highlight underrepresented creatives; and continue to build a vital platform and community for all tomorrow’s voices.

“The Emerging Writers’ Festival has a proud tradition of being a launching pad, not only for writers, but also for the next generation of arts administrators and curators,” says EWF Board Chair Craig Semple. “Continuing in this tradition, we are absolutely thrilled to appoint Ruby as our next Artistic Director.”

“Already acknowledged as an emerging community and arts leader, Ruby will bring her remarkable energy, imagination and intellect to the role, and will continue our focus on genuine inclusion, accessibility and relevance to emerging writers.”

“Ruby’s appointment feels particularly special because, having progressed through the organisation from Creative Producer to Digital Producer and then Associate Producer, Ruby is already part of the EWF family, and we know first-hand her absolute passion for championing the work and development of emerging writers.”

“We are very excited to see Ruby achieve her incredible promise over the three years of her appointment. I’m sure all who know Ruby will share that excitement with us.”

“A huge thank you as well to our much loved outgoing Artistic Director, Izzy Roberts-Orr for her dedication and passion over the last three years, and to acknowledge all she has achieved, and improved, during her term. Again, in the tradition of EWF, bigger and better things undoubtedly lie ahead for Izzy, and as they should,” said Semple.

The 2020 Emerging Writers’ Festival will run from 17 – 27 June in venues across Melbourne’s CBD and surrounding suburbs. For more information, visit: www.emergingwritersfestival.org.au for details.

Image: Ruby-Rose Pivet-Marsh – courtesy of the Emerging Writers’ Festival