Sudbury’s Wordstock festival faces dissolution amid financial woes

Wordstock Sudbury Literary Festival board recommends dissolution amid financial woes, with final vote set for next week.

The Wordstock Sudbury Literary Festival could soon come to an end after its board of directors recommended dissolving the organization due to mounting financial pressures.

The board’s decision follows the recent layoff of founder and director Heather Campbell as the festival grapples with rising operating costs and limited funding opportunities. A final vote on the recommendation will take place at a virtual membership meeting scheduled for June 4.

“Wordstock for me is one of the reasons I decided to stay in the city, so it’s even more bittersweet,” said Kyla Heyming, the festival’s board chair, on Wednesday evening.

“It’s something I got to enjoy, promote, share, and help build. We’re at this point where I have to try and face the reality of it all—we are recommending the dissolution of something that’s so near and dear to my heart.”

In a news release, the board acknowledged the difficulty of the decision, citing the festival’s strong community impact since its founding in 2013.

“Heather built Wordstock from the ground up, and her passion for literature has left an indelible mark on this community,” Heyming said.

“But given the financial pressures and resource limitations we’re facing, we believe it’s time to have an honest and respectful conversation with our membership.”

Wordstock’s struggles reflect broader challenges for small arts nonprofits across Canada. The board emphasized its gratitude to sponsors, volunteers, and attendees who supported the festival over the years.

Further updates will follow next week’s membership meeting.