In a release from the Board of Directors last week, Kingston WritersFest has announced that they will be ceasing operations.
The release cites “ongoing financial challenges” as the reason for the festival folding, with reserves being depleted in the last few years sustaining the festival.
Despite costs being significantly cut in 2024 with a scaled-down event and more intimate setting at The Screening Room, the changes were not enough to save the Festival.
Since the announcement, former Writersfest Artistic Director Aara Macauley posted on social media regarding the abrupt lay-off, also revealing staff and contractors are waiting on paychecks and severance pay.
In an interview with CFRC, Macaulay stated, “As the face of the organization and as the person that people know, I’m the person that’s getting asked. And if I’m being quiet about bills that aren’t getting paid, the assumption is that I’m ignoring people or that I’m willfully withholding money.”