Tamara Zimet Appointed Artistic Director of Sydney Writers' Festival

Tamara Zimet has been named the incoming Artistic Director of the Sydney Writers' Festival, marking a return to the event after six years at the Edinburgh International Book Festival. During her tenure in Edinburgh, Zimet held several senior roles, culminating in Director of Programming, where she shaped the festival's program and contributed to its strategic growth, including audience expansion and the development of an extensive international network of writers, publishers, agents, and cultural partners. Her appointment is seen as a homecoming, bringing her extensive experience back to Australia. The news was reported by ArtsHub, which also highlighted other recent arts sector updates, including the 2026 NT Book Awards shortlist, the Minderoo Artist Fund's support for mid-career artists Tim Meakins and Andrea Gibbs, and an online reading group at the UQ Art Museum exploring Aunty Mary Graham's writings. Additionally, Liane Moriarty's return to 'Big Little Lies' was noted, along with a roundup of opportunities for creatives from 24 to 30 August 2026.