Free to Apply: Wakefield Lit Fest – Writer in Residence (£1,200 stipend | Yorkshire, UK)

Deadline: 16 July 2012

Beam is delivering Wakefield’s first ‘Lit Fest’ this September and we’re currently seeking our inaugural ‘Writer in Residence’.

Wakefield Lit Fest’s Writer in Residence will play an important role in advocating for the festival in this, its first year. It will be the Writer’s role to help to develop audiences for the festival, participate in festival events and create a legacy for the festival through the development of a new piece of writing inspired by festival events and Wakefield. It is the intention that this new piece of work is performed as part of the festival. Wakefield Lit Fest is being funded by Arts Council England through ‘Grants for the Arts’.

WAKEFIELD LIT FEST – WRITER IN RESIDENCE BRIEF

Wakefield Lit Fest’s inaugural Writer in Residence will play an important role in advocating for the festival in this, its first year. It will be the Writer’s role to help to develop audiences for the festival, participate in festival events and create a legacy for the festival through the development of a new piece of writing inspired by festival events and Wakefield. It is the intention that this new piece of work is performed as part of the festival. Wakefield Lit Fest is being funded by Arts Council England through ‘Grants for the Arts’.

This is also an opportunity for a writer, to be involved in helping to shape and support this years’ festival and input into the future development of the festival.

Applications are welcomed from writers of fiction, poetry, and related expressive media, preferably though not necessarily, based in Yorkshire.

THE WRITER IN RESIDENCE WILL –

• Work with Yew Tree Youth Theatre to support the development of their Lit Fest programme of activity with children and young people – (to include some delivery involvement as appropriate)

• Work with Beam on development of festival events to engage people of all ages with reading and writing

• Join the festival’s advisory panel during and at the evaluation stage of the festival

• Be a passionate advocate for Wakefield Lit fest itself, and for reading and writing

• Provide a written legacy for the festival through the production of a piece of writing focusing on the role of reading and writing in a contemporary city centre

• Support the Lit Fest PR and marketing through traditional channels as well as through the festival blog site and social media to develop audiences for festival events

• Facilitate the Readers Day event on the last day of the festival (Sunday 30th September)

THE SUCCESSFUL CANDIDATE WILL –

• Be based, preferably through not necessarily, in Yorkshire. A temporary base, office space, and IT equipment as required can be provided at The Orangery in Wakefield

• Have already published work or be in the process of publishing work

• Have experience of working with and engaging people, including young people and community groups

• Have experience in reading or performing their work

TIMINGS: Wakefield Lit Fest spans 8 days in September from Saturday 22 – Sunday 30. We envisage that the selected candidate will attend at least 4 festival events and work with the festival delivery team and advisory group from their appointment onwards with timings and dates to be agreed at an initial meeting following appointment. The fee allows for a minimum of 8 days work.

FEE: A total fee of £1200 is offered for this role - to include all associated expenses & travel.

HOW TO APPLY

• A covering letter providing a brief overview of your approach to this residency and any initial ideas you have regarding how you would be a powerful advocate for the festival in order to successfully develop audiences.

• Your CV including details of your published work and public engagement experience

• Two examples / extracts of your work

DEADLINE: Monday 16 July, 10am. The provisional interview date is Thursday 19th July.

CONTACT INFORMATION:

For queries: direct any queries to frances@beam.uk.net / 01924 215 550 or robert@beam.uk.net

For submissions: Frances@beam.uk.net

Website: http://www.beam.uk.net/