Writer in Residence Information

Cork County Council Libraryand Arts Servicecall for applications: Writer in Residence

Cork County Council invites applications for the position of Writer in Residence for a ten month period, December 2023 – August 2024. The residency is open to published writers in any genre – fiction writers, poets, journalists, scriptwriters, etc. – ideally based in the Cork region. The residency is structured as a part-time residency balancing time for the writer’s own work along with the delivery of a programme of engagement with writers groups, community groups, schools or other opportunities.

The aims of this residency is for a writer to:

• Deliver a monthly writing workshops in the five libraries in Bandon, Cobh, Carrigaline, Mitchelstown, and Kanturk.
• Create and support opportunities for writers in these communities.
• Support and develop opportunities for reading and engaging with writing in these communities.
• Support the development and evaluation of the Writer in Residence programme on an ongoing basis.

A key aspect of the Writer in Residence programme is the use of local library branches as centres of creative writing. The residency will concentrate on creative writing development in the five towns. It is hoped that with the support of the local Library staff the writer will be able to involve participants drawn from community organisations.

The Writer in Residence will work with us to support writing groups in five branch libraries as well as engaging with recently established online writing collectives and online writing workshops.

The writer in residence will develop the capacity of writers groups to be self-directed.

Another aspect of the residency is to promote reading and active engagement with contemporary literature in the community. To meet these objectives, the writer may develop a programme of community engagement. They may also undertake a personal literary project that may or may not be related to the programmed work that will be undertaken.

The residency is managed by Cork County Council Library and Arts Service and is valued at €15,000 inclusive of all expenses including travel. Cork County Library and Arts Service reserves the right to extend the residency for a further period should circumstances require it, subject to mutual agreement with the appointed writer.

Applicants are asked consider the residency objectives outlined above and set out proposals for project/s that they would work towards delivering over the course of the residency. This proposal should outline the workshops they will deliver, and how the writer in residence will reach the objectives outside of these contact hours.

This positionis supported by The Arts Council/An Chomhairle Ealaíon and Creative Ireland.

1. APPLICATION PROCEDURE:

Applications should be made by sending the following:

• An up-to-date Curriculum Vitae.
• A written submission proposal (500 words maximum) which outlines the writer’s proposed personal goals for the residency, ideas and approaches the writer would take in relation to supporting the areas of activity outlined above and suggestions for workshops, talks or other public/community engagement.
• A cover letter outliningexamples of previous similar and relevant work in the area of community engagement, facilitation and/or teaching.
• Links to examples of work, publications, published articles, essays and/or reviews.
• Names and contact details of two professional references.

DEADLINE

Please send completed submission to: emma.dwyer@corkcoco.ie.

The closing date for completed applications is 21 October2023.

2. SELECTION CRITERIA FOR THE WRITER IN RESIDENCE

   • The writer will be a published author.
   • The writer will have demonstrable experience working as a creative writing facilitator and will have the ability to mentor emerging writers, and those interested in developing their writing skills.
   • The residency is open to writers in all genres and the writer will demonstrate a record in at least one genre.
   • Experience in developing and successfully delivering literary events, workshops and readings is preferred but not necessary.
   • Experience in working in socially engaged processes is preferred but not necessary.

3. SELECTION PROCESS

All applications will be evaluated be on the basis of the information supplied.

Only applications that respond adequately to the outlined criteria above will be considered. Cork County Council may seek additional information from the applicant solely for the purpose of clarifying details provided.

Applicants will be shortlisted for interview.

4. AWARD OF RESIDENCY

The residency will be awarded as a contract for services for a specific period.

If for any reason, it is not possible to award the contract to the successful applicant, or, or if having awarded the contract, the writer in residence has not met his/her obligations, Cork County Council reserves the right to award the contract to the next highest scoring applicant, without re-opening the competition. This shall be without prejudice to the right of Cork County Council to cancel this competitive process and/or initiate a new contract award procedure at its sole discretion. Cork CountyCouncil reserves the right to extend the contract for services for a further period if circumstances warrant.

5. APPOINTMENT, EXTENT, PROBABTION AND TERMINATION

The successful applicant will be expected to take up this residency by December 2023. The residency may include evening and weekend work, as required.

A probationary period of two months from commencement will apply. The probationary period may be terminated on giving one weeks’ notice.

The contract for services may be terminated by Cork County Council without liability, by serving one month’s written notice to the Writer-in-Residence. The contract for services may be terminated by the Writer-in-Residence, without liability for compensation or damages, by serving one month’s written notice to Cork County Council.

6. ADDITIONAL TERMS

Further to Cork County Council’s obligations under the Children and Vulnerable Persons Act 2012, engagement will be subject to Garda Vetting, to be completed in advance.

The appointment shall be for the services described in this brief only. The Contracting Authority reserves the right to engage with other service providers for additional services in connection with the project and shall be under no obligation to extend the contract.

Cork County Council is committed to equality of opportunity. Cork County Council has an equal opportunities policy which all contractors are expected to develop an understanding of.