Call-out: My Creative Time, a partnership project between Voluntary Arts Wales and Literature Wales

Voluntary Arts Wales and Literature Wales are delighted to announce a new partnership project titled My Creative Time – poetry inspired by voluntary arts 

We are inviting poets, working in Welsh or English, to explore the creative activities of a voluntary arts group; lead a workshop on writing poetry; and write a poem based on their experience. We are also inviting volunteer-led creative groups to explore what their creative activity means to them through poetry. Groups will ‘host’ a poet and share their creative activities with the poet; participate in a workshop on writing poetry; and write poems based on their experience. 

Context 

The theme of the project is ‘My Creative Time’, which aims to highlight the importance of taking part in regular creative activity.

We will pair eight early-career and established poets, working in Welsh or English, with eight voluntary arts groups throughout Wales. The poets will explore the group’s activities – e.g. singing in a choir, crafting jewellery – taking part in the activities ‘at distance’ if possible. The poets will then lead a workshop on writing poetry (again, at distance, e.g. via Zoom). All the poets and participants will then write poetry based on their experiences, and the poems will be collected and published in a bilingual booklet.

Based on a project developed by Voluntary Arts Scotland in partnership with the Scottish Poetry Library, this new initiative will give participants the opportunity to explore and express the varied benefits that arise from taking part in creative activity, and celebrate the work of voluntary arts groups and the connection they have with place and community throughout Wales.

We had originally intended for the project to work in person, but given the circumstances, we have redesigned the project to work at distance. There will be no expectation to take part in the project face to face. Rather, we anticipate that the project will explore how voluntary creative activity has continued during lockdown.

What’s Available:

There are two opportunities available as part of this project:

For Writers

We are inviting established and early-career poets, working in Welsh, English or bilingually, to apply for a commission to:

• explore the creative activities of a voluntary arts group (taking part where possible);
• lead a workshop on writing poetry;
• and write a poem inspired by their experience, on the theme of ‘My Creative Time’.

There are 8 commissions available worth £500 each.

Writers can apply for one commission only, however you are welcome to submit an expression of interest individually, in pairs or as a collective.

For groups:

We are inviting voluntary creative groups to apply to ‘host’ a poet. The group will:

• Introduce their creative activities to the poet (inviting them to take part where possible);
• Participate in a poetry writing workshop led by the poet;
• Write a poem inspired by their experience, on the theme of ‘My Creative Time’.

To acknowledge the contribution of groups participating in the project, we are able to pay a small fee of £100 per group.

Deadline for Expressions of Interest:

12.00 noon on Friday 11 September 2020

How to apply 

For Writers:

To apply, please submit an expression of interest, in English or Welsh, outlining your experience and interest in the project (no more than one side of A4), along with examples of relevant previous work and a short CV. Please email your application to info@vaw.org.uk

For Groups:

To apply, please submit a short expression of interest providing information about your group and its creative activity; how your group is currently meeting / practising; and your interest in the project (no more than one side of A4) to info@vaw.org.uk. Groups are welcome to apply in English or Welsh.

For an informal discussion about the project, please contact Gareth Coles, Director of Voluntary Arts Wales, on gareth@vaw.org.uk or 07833 580 313.