writing ambitions- Commissioning project

Arts Derbyshire is looking to appoint 5 writers to write to commission working with Festivity and Derbyshire County Council in a project supported by Arts Council England.  

The commissions are open to poets and short story writers who will each work with a Derbyshire Arts Festival to produce a piece or pieces of writing. The project will run from December 2019 to February 2021. Successful applicants will receive a support package including a fee and materials expenses, places on related workshops with experienced writers, mentoring and ongoing support.

Applicants should demonstrate a commitment to writing and a willingness to development their skills in writing to commission and performing their work. They will also need to be able to work with a target group or seek inspiration from members of the public or other artists. The closing date for applications is 9.00 am on Monday 4 November 2019.

For further information and details on how to apply please read the application pack attached to this email. If you have a question about the project please email Marie Timbrell at lovelitderbyshire@hotmail.com

Please find a link below to details about an upcoming event with Rob Gee and Cathy Grindrod which is aimed at both applicants and writers interested in writing to commission in general.

https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/commissioning-an-information-and-networking-day-for-writers-tickets-74981574909

Further Q&A for applicants

Q. Do applicants need to have their Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) certificate and public liability insurance in place at the time of application, or can this be confirmed if offered the commission?

A. These can be confirmed if you are offered a commission.

Q. For the two references required as part of an application, are full written references required, or just the contact details of referees?  

A. Please supply full written references as part of your application, not just the names and contact details of referees.

Q. Are the rights granted in relation to the commissioned material exclusive, or will the author retain the right to publish elsewhere?  

A. Copyright in the designs and work will be retained by the Artist in accordance with the Copyright Design and Patents Act 1988.  Derbyshire County Council, Arts Derbyshire, Festivity and the festivals acting as commissioners retain the right to use the commissioned writing for promotional and other purposes in perpetuity.

Q. Are applicants are encouraged to contact the festival to discuss potential plans, or simply indicate our own ideas and approach? 

A. Please indicate your own ideas and approach; we are not encouraging applicants to contact festivals to discuss potential plans.

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