County Carlow Writer-in-Residence Programme
Open Call
Commencing September 2018
A new ambitious opportunity now exists for experienced Writers through a partnership initiated by Carlow County Council’s Arts Office supported by the Arts Council of Ireland and in partnership with the County Library Services and Carlow College, St Patrick’s
EXPRESSIONS OF INTEREST ARE SOUGHT FROM EXPERIENCED WRITERS ACROSS A RANGE OF GENRES
(Fiction/Short Story, Poetry, Spoken Word, Memoir, Songwriting/Composition, Play/Script writing)
Commencing September 2018
Following the success of previous Writer-in-Residence programmes in Carlow, an exciting new opportunity is being offered for experienced writers across a range of genres. This innovative venture takes the form of a series of six four-month-residencies over a two year period. It is worth noting too, that there is the possibility of joining two or more of the residencies into an eight or twelve month block, if this is the most feasible way of delivering the project, therefore there is an openness to negotiate with the writer your availability and time.
The Carlow Writer-in-Residence programme is managed through the Carlow County Council Arts Office. This programme is well established, with many writers involved over the years, including Sean Hardie, Bryan Delaney and, more recently, John MacKenna. Working closely with the County Library Services each of these writers brought their own unique skills to Carlow. This programme is now moving into a new developmental phase in partnership with one of Carlow’s third level educational institutions. Carlow College, St Patrick’s, situated in the heart of Carlow town, with its magnificent 18th century building and ample grounds, will offer successful applicants accommodation in the heart of Carlow Town, a small office facility, and access to college life in the course of term. The Writer-in-Residence will work with lecturing staff, participate in programmes, have access to facilities/spaces, and a range of skills and expertise through staff on site, primarily in the Humanities and Social Care.
The Carlow County Council Arts Office wish to invite expressions of interest from experienced writers across a range of genres (Fiction/Short Story, Poetry, Spoken Word, Memoir, Songwriting/Composition, Play/Script Writing) for this programme which will be delivered in a series of stages over a two year period, commencing in September 2018. The Residency Bursary is designed with this in mind, that the Writer will have sufficient time to allow the freedom and space conducive to the pursuit of their own artistic ambitions, whilst also allocating time to enhance and develop artistic skill within the local community and the staff and student body at Carlow College, St Patrick’s.
Our vision is for multiple points of access for the public to highly experienced writers in a range of artistic genres in order to acquire new skills, knowledge, and techniques. The genres contemplated include Poetry, Memoir, Spoken Word, Songwriting/Composition, Short Story/Novelist, Play/Script writing. The successful applicant will be required to deliver public readings, masterclasses/workshops, performances, and lectures as appropriate over the course of the residency. And the aim is engage with the community here in Carlow and to see participants in workshops and masterclasses produce regular written work under the guidance of the resident writer. At the same time the residency will allow for the space and time that the writer requires to develop and nurture their own creative practice.
It is envisaged that the Writer-in-Residence will work across the academic calendar of Carlow College, St Patrick’s, and that each residency period will run for a college term. For example:
Term 1: September 2018 - December 2018
Term 2: January 2019 – April 2019
Term 3: May 2019 – August 2019
It is worth bearing in mind that the summer programme is outside of academic timetabling, and thus this will be a quieter term in relation to the college, however there is potential to work closely with our County Library Services during this period.
It is worth noting that anybody with an interest in dramatic/stage writing is encouraged to apply even if they have no previous experience!
Please send in your most recent up to date CV along with your availability over the coming 2 years (September 2018 – 2020) and a brief cover letter/outline/statement of what you will bring to this residency as an experienced writer.
For further information / the contact to send your CV etc to is :
Sinead Dowling, Arts Office, Carlow County Council
sdowling@carlowcoco.ie 059 9136204,
on or before Friday 29th June 2018.
Shortlisting will take place and all applicants will be contacted in July 2018.