We're excited to announce that Dariel Suarez, GrubStreet’s current Education Director, has been promoted to Artistic Director.

An advocate for access in the literary arts and a talented author of the novel The Playwright's House and the story collection A Kind of Solitude, Dariel Suarez has been a vital part of GrubStreet's staff since first joining in 2016 as the Head of Faculty & Curriculum. An inaugural City of Boston Artist Fellow, his prose has also appeared in numerous publications and won awards for the International Latino Book Award for Best Collection of Short Stories and the First Lady Cecile de Jongh Literary Prize. Over the years as Director of Programs and Education Director at GrubStreet, he has recruited an incredible cohort of instructors, mentored students and fellows, launched GrubStreet’s new workshop model, created new resources and instructor training materials, and executed exciting new programming — all while furthering access and inclusion for GrubStreet's community. "It has been incredibly rewarding to work with such a diverse and dedicated community," said Suarez.

Suarez succeeds Christopher Castellani, who recently transitioned from his role as part-time Artistic Director to Senior Advisor to the Muse & Marketplace conference, which he founded in 2002. Having worked closely with Suarez for the past six years on a number of the above initiatives, Castellani is now based in Provincetown, where he is completing his fifth novel, serving as the Writer-in-Residence at Brandeis University, and working with other literary organizations across the country. Moving forward, he will continue to play a vital role in advising the Muse team. "The depth and breadth of GrubStreet’s programs have long demanded a full-time Artistic Director,” said Castellani. “I have seen firsthand that Dariel’s dedication, vision, expertise, and passion for artistic excellence and inclusion make him the best person for this important job.”

In the coming years, Dariel will be focused on the artistic vision of all GrubStreet programs, which includes launching new in-person programming for the Writers' Stage at the Center for Creative Writing and launching new programming in the coming years focused on cultural exchange and global perspectives. He will continue to work closely with senior staff to ensure long-term programmatic sustainability and excellence. “Our programs couldn’t be in better hands,” said Eve Bridburg, GrubStreet’s Founder and Executive Director. “I’m confident that both our local and national writing community will be well served by Dariel’s inspired vision.”