Funding for Events

1. Introduction

01/03/2013 - Please note there are new Writers on Tour Terms and Conditions and Advice for Event Organisers. Event organisers should read these before applying online.

1.1. Scheme Funding Outline

Literature Wales’ Writers on Tour funding scheme offers financial support towards a variety of literature events, including workshops, lectures, readings, conferences and any other event concerned with the practice, promotion, appreciation or development of creative writing. This scheme supports over a thousand events annually and reaches around eighty thousand people per year. Activity splits evenly between Welsh and English language and new work is being developed in Urdu, Arabic and Somali. The Writers on Tour application process is simple, straightforward and quick.

Funding offers are only made to organisations; individuals cannot apply. Eligible organisations include schools, libraries, pubs, clubs, societies, community centres, arts festivals and other venues located throughout Wales.
Literature Wales can fund up to 50% of the costs of appropriate literary events. Literature Wales offers funding primarily towards writers’ fees (and may occasionally contribute towards writers’ travel / accommodation expenses). Other costs are usually not eligible for consideration.

Please read our guidelines, and terms and conditions carefully before making an application.


1.2. General Information

Literature Wales' Writers on Tour funding scheme is Britain’s oldest funding scheme for literature events. It was originally set up by the Welsh Arts Council around thirty years ago.

Funding is available to assist with:

- one-off visits by writers to schools, libraries, pubs, clubs, societies, community centres and other venues throughout Wales

- literature residencies or sustained periods of work by one or more writer/s in a single location or on a single project. These may, for instance, run at individual schools, in a cluster group, at youth clubs, libraries, day centres or residential care homes

- venue, festival or series programming which is innovative, new and exciting. Examples include programmes of literary activity at small festivals or literary tours

-Young People’s Writing Squads workshops and events

1.3. The Application Process

1. Choose a writer and event type/theme
   Literature Wales maintains the Writers of Wales Database, an online resource including biographical information on most Welsh and Wales-based writers. Some entries also carry links to booking information for event organisers. Organisers should be able to find a suitable writer from the database, but are not limited to selecting from it. Literature Wales will consider applications for any writer with the appropriate credentials; most leading UK writers have worked in Wales in the past few years. If you are still unsure, Literature Wales staff can offer advice and assistance with your choice of writer/s for particular events (please ring 01766 523237) – *New* please also refer to section 3.3 How to Improve the Quality of your Application for guidance on how your application will be assessed.
    
2. Book the writer
   Confirm with the writer the date and venue for your event. Some entries on the Writers of Wales Database feature contact details. Literature Wales can almost always pass on requests to writers whose contact details are not public.
    
3. Eligibility?
   Ensure that your event (and organisation) is eligible for Literature Wales funding (please refer to our terms and conditions).
    
4. Apply for funding
   Applications must be made in writing using the online application form, or a downloaded PDF of the application form which can be submitted by post. All applications need to reach Literature Wales between *new* no more than six months and at least four weeks before the proposed start date. Applications submitted less than four weeks in advance cannot be considered. To avoid disappointment, if you are applying for an event which is less than five weeks away please contact Literature Wales immediately after submitting your application to confirm receipt. Applications submitted more than six months in advance will be automatically rejected – organisers will need to reapply closer to the date. Under no circumstances can Literature Wales consider retrospective funding.
    
5. Response
   Literature Wales will respond to your application within seven working days. If you do not hear from us within this time, please contact us to ensure that we have received your application. It is the organiser’s responsibility to ensure that their application reaches us on time - Literature Wales cannot be held responsible for applications which fail to reach us successfully.
    
6. Offers
   If your application is successful, we will send out confirmation of our offer by email within seven working days of receipt of your application. If we are unable to offer support, we will inform you as soon as possible. In the first instance, contact will be made by email so please ensure that the email address you supply is correct and that your inbox is checked regularly.
    
7. Acknowledge Literature Wales support
   If your application is successful, you must actively acknowledge Literature Wales support in all publicity prior to your event, as well as in person at your event. See the Terms & Conditions for more information.
    
8. Paying writers
   Paying writers in full on the day of the event is a core condition of our funding offers. See the Terms & Conditions for more information.
    
9. Claiming funding
   You may claim your Writers on Tour funding after your event has taken place by completing and returning the Event Report Form which was emailed to you with your offer, within 3 months of the event taking place.