Cork County Council Library and Arts Service Call for Applications: Writer in Residence

Cork County Council invites applications for a Writer in Residence for a twelve month period in 2025. 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 to deliver a programme of engagement with writers’ groups, community groups, schools, and others interested in writing.

The residency will concentrate on creative writing development in five towns in County Cork. The successful applicant will devise and deliver a programme with the aim of developing creative writing opportunities in five local library branches and the surrounding communities. 

The aims of this residency are for a writer to:

  • Deliver monthly writing workshops with local writers in five library branches in County Cork.
  • Support and develop opportunities for creative writing in the community in those five towns, engaging a variety of audiences such as older people, youth, hardly reached communities, and others.
  • Support planning of Cork County Library and Arts Service’s 2025 programme for Poetry Day, World Book Day, Culture Night, and Cruinnui na nÓg, etc.

To meet these objectives, the writer will develop a programme of community engagement and may also undertake a personal literary project that may or may not be related to the programmed work that will be undertaken. It is envisioned that one day per month will be spent working in and with each of the five towns.

The Writer in Residence is managed by the Arts Service. This position is supported by The Arts Council / An Chomhairle Ealaíon and Creative Ireland.

TERMS

The residency is managed by Cork County Council Library and Arts Service and is valued at €18,000 inclusive of all expenses including travel. The contract will be from January 2025 – December 2025. 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. There is a minimum of 5 contact days per month.

APPLICATION PROCEDURE

Applications should be made by sending the following: 

  • An up-to-date Curriculum Vitae.
  • A written programme proposal which outlines how the writer will meet the objectives of the residency including the approaches the writer would take in delivering workshops, talks or other public/community engagement, as well as proposed outputs that will be delivered as part of this – for example online publications, podcasts, printed anthologies, events, etc. and any additional budget that would be required to deliver outputs.
  • A cover letter outlining examples of previous similar and relevant work in the area of community engagement, facilitation and / or teaching.
  • An example of work of no more than 1000 words, or links to online 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 25 October 2024.

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.
  • The writer must have a full driving license and have their own transport. 
     

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. 

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 County Council reserves the right to extend the contract for services for a further period if circumstances warrant.

APPOINTMENT, EXTENT, PROBABTION AND TERMINATION

The successful applicant will be expected to take up this residency by January 2025. 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. 

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.