After a nearly decade-long run Connect Fest has come to a close. Both the University and the City are facing significant financial pressures which necessitate making difficult decisions. At this point we are unable to continue with the programming for this festival.

There is no question that Connect Fest, originally Burnaby Festival of Learning, has significantly enriched the culture of grass-roots community learning in Burnaby and benefited many. As we mark this ending we celebrate the numerous organizers, presenters, artists, participants and volunteers who have been involved, including the members of this steering committee and the small but mighty project staff team who have carried the festival to completion year after year. Your contributions have made a mark and are much appreciated.

In the past decade, the partnership between SFU and City of Burnaby has grown substantially, most notably with the establishment of the Civic Innovation Lab, a long-term accelerator of research and engagement in Burnaby. Through this and other vehicles we will continue to meet some of the original aspirations of Connect Fest, to bring SFU “down from the mountain” into the Burnaby community and ensure reciprocal learning in all directions.