New Children’s Writers’ Fellowship

Seamus Heaney

 

The Arts Council of Northern Ireland, in partnership with Queen’s University Belfast, is inviting expressions of interest for a new Children’s Writers’ Fellowship, to the value of £15,000 per annum.

The fellowship is part of a legacy programme of activities devised in honour of Seamus Heaney. It is hoped the joint initiative will inspire and support current and future generations of creative writing talent.

DETAILS

Position:     Children’s Writers’ Fellowship
Location:     Seamus Heaney Centre for Poetry, Queen’s University Belfast
Responsible to:   QUB/ACNI Heaney Legacy Steering Group
Appointment Period:   Two years – Part-time
Work Hours:     Flexible (to be negotiated). Some of the specified hours will be at unsocial times.
Closing Date:     Wednesday 15 March 2017
Honorarium:      £15,000 per annum
Anticipated Interview Date:  Wednesday 22 March 2017

Expressions of Interest detailing suitability and proposals for the role are sought from writers for the above position.

ORGANISATIONAL STATEMENT

The Arts Council of Northern Ireland and Queen’s University Belfast have jointly developed a range of activities to ensure the legacy of Seamus Heaney for Belfast and Northern Ireland. It is hoped the joint initiative will inspire and support current and future generations of creative writing talent.

The Fellow will work with personnel in the Arts Council of Northern Ireland, as well as with external organisations, to offer workshops and school visits (primary and secondary level) across Northern Ireland.

The value of the fellowship is £15,000 per annum, and the activities will be undertaken across the academic year: commencement and hours to be agreed.

Short CVs plus proposals of no more than 2,000 words from writers will be reviewed by a panel of experts from the two partners.

Submissions must be received by hard copy or by email at hr@artscouncil-ni.org by 4pm on Wednesday 15 March 2017.

Arts Council of Northern Ireland
1 The Sidings, Antrim Road, LISBURN BT28 3AJ, Northern Ireland
PURPOSE

The main purpose of the role is to showcase excellence in the area of writing for children and foster partnerships across a range of parties in society with an investment in that creativity.

MAJOR DUTIES

1 To introduce writing and creativity to a new audience of children and young people.
2 To liaise with a range of initiatives and organisations in Ireland to help promote excellence in children’s writing.
3 To help bring children’s literature into the mainstream conversation about books and literature throughout Ireland.
4 To promote creativity particularly among young people through education and outreach activity.
5 To fashion working partnerships between the Seamus Heaney Centre, the Arts Council and external children’s agencies  in promoting literary creativity with children.
6 To provide outreach workshops in primary and secondary schools where appropriate.
ESSENTIAL CRITERIA

Experience: Evidence of a substantial track record of excellent published work in the area of creative writing and experience in outreach activity with children and young people.

Mobility: A valid driving licence and use of a vehicle for business purposes, or access to a form of transport to meet the requirements of the post

Security Check: A willingness to undergo an ACCESS NI check. (This is a requirement as the successful candidate may be in contact with children and sometimes with vulnerable adults.)

 

Full details are available here