Susan Orlean joins Banff Centre for Arts and Creativity as literary journalism chair
American journalist Susan Orlean will serve as the Banff Centre for Arts and Creativity's next Rogers Communications Chair in Literary Journalism.
Orlean, a staff writer with the New Yorker since 1992, has written articles on an array of subjects including racing pigeons, umbrella inventors and elite athletes. Her books include Rin Tin Tin, Saturday Night and The Orchid Thief. In 2014, Orlean received a Guggenheim Fellowship.
"Banff Centre for Arts and Creativity is one of the most vibrant inspiring places I've ever visited," said Orlean in a news release.
"I'm thrilled to be joining the literary journalism program, especially at this moment, when telling true stories with heart and insight is so essential."
Orlean will take up her new post on July 2, 2018.
The Banff Centre also announced that the investigative journalism program will be offered again in 2018 and 2019. Twenty nonfiction writers and journalist participated in the inaugural intensive this past October.
A committee with CBC's Connie Walker, the National Observer's Mike De Souza and the New York Times' Susanne Craig will act as advisors to the investigative journalism intensive for the next two years.
The Banff Centre of Arts and Creativity is a partner for the CBC Literary Prizes.