‘The festival is strong enough now’: Professor Vanessa Toulmin on stepping back from Off the Shelf
Professor Vanessa Toulmin is preparing to step back after nearly a decade leading Off the Shelf, the University of Sheffield’s literary festival. She helped secure its future when it faced cuts in 2016, and says the festival is now strong enough to be handed to a new generation.
The university and initially Sheffield Hallam subsidised a two-year transition, after which the festival expanded its programme and revenue. Toulmin says she is proud that around 35% of its participants reflect diversity across protected characteristics, alongside opportunities for local writers and young people. Well-known guests also help subsidise other events, she says, while the programme must reflect Sheffield and attract an audience.
- Toulmin is stepping back after nearly a decade leading Off the Shelf.
- The university took over when the festival faced cuts in 2016.
- She says diverse programming and high-profile guests helped strengthen it.
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Off the Shelf is a literary festival run by the University of Sheffield, with events for readers, writers and the wider public. It brings authors and other guests to the city and also provides opportunities for local writers and young people.
Professor Vanessa Toulmin has led the festival for nearly a decade. In 2016, when cuts threatened its future, the university and Sheffield Hallam helped fund a two-year transition; the festival later grew its programme and income.
The festival’s choices matter because it must appeal to audiences while reflecting Sheffield and making room for a range of participants. Toulmin says well-known guests help support other events, and that about 35% of participants reflect diversity across protected characteristics.