National Cultural Policy Consultation
Children's literary festivals do more than celebrate stories. They create the conditions for literacy, creativity and cultural participation to thrive.
This submission to the Australian Government's National Cultural Policy consultation outlines Storyfest's vision for recognising children's literary festivals as essential cultural infrastructure. Drawing on more than 33 years of experience delivering festivals across metropolitan, regional and remote communities, the paper argues for sustained federal investment that expands access to literary culture, supports Australian storytellers and strengthens reading communities nationwide.
The submission explores how investment in literary festivals can advance each pillar of the National Cultural Policy, from improving access to stories in regional Australia and supporting First Nations voices, to creating sustainable opportunities for authors and illustrators and building lifelong reading cultures. It concludes with six recommendations for future policy and funding.
Storyfest's National Cultural Policy Consultation submission offers valuable insights for policymakers, arts organisations, educators, researchers and advocates working to strengthen Australia's literary and cultural landscape.
