Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council invites applications for a writer in residence for the period September 2011 to September 2012. The writer in residence is a partnership between the Library Service and the Arts Office of the County Council. The residency seeks to support writers in all genres, with the exception of poets as the most recent writer in residence with the Library Service was a poet. The residency is envisaged as a part-time position which will allow time both for the writer’s own work in addition to engagement and interaction with both the general public and more specifically with those with an interest in writing themselves.
Public Library Service
The mission of the library service is to enhance the quality of life in the county by enabling the enjoyment of reading and pursuit of lifelong learning . There is a long and rich tradition of library service in the county and libraries have a pro-active policy in relation to cultural provision.
Quality of life and cultural expression at a local level are key priorities of Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council. The libraries have a unique role at the heart of communities in the promotion of reading, literature and creative thinking. There are eight branch libraries in Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown.
In 2007, the library service undertook a consultative process, which has led to a Culture Strategy for the Libraries (2007-2010). One of the goals to emerge from this document was to:
‘Create a sustainable cultural programme that animates and amplifies the library collection and complements existing cultural provision in the county.’
The library service proposes to commission ‘culture in residence’ schemes to offer users the opportunity to engage with living artists and creators of cultural product.
Arts Office
Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council supports the development of the arts at a local level and aspires to provide opportunities for all who live in, work in and visit the County to engage with the arts as creators, participants and spectators.
Since the Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council Arts Office was established in 1994, the County Council has developed a high quality programme including exhibitions, learning and participation initiatives, festivals, public art projects and artists’ residencies.
Key priorities identified over the next few years are:
* Participation in the arts for all, in particular children, young people, older people and dlr’s local arts community.
* The encouragement of opportunities for the creation and showcasing of work.
* That all activities will offer opportunities for further learning and engagement.
* Advocacy for the development of the arts at local level.
Residency objectives
To create opportunities for the writer to:
* Develop his/her own work
* Create opportunities for communities to engage with writers throughout the dlr library network
* Act as a resource for writers in the county, both amateur and professional
Writer’s brief
Writers are invited to take inspiration from varied sources, to include the library environment, local communities and the county. The work may involve working with various demographics in the county, including young people, older people and writers groups. The writer in residence will be required to organise a minimum of two high profile public events over the course of the residency. Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council organises the annual ‘Mountains to Sea Literary Festival’ and it is envisaged that the writer in residence will link with this in September 2012. This linkage could create opportunities for the public to meet writers.
The details will be agreed in consultation with the appointed writer. The programme will be supervised by the Senior Executive Librarian with responsibility for Culture & Marketing.
Selection process
Writers will submit a proposal together with details of previous work to date as follows:
* A typed curriculum vitae (maximum 3 pages);
* Examples of previous work;
* Publications, programmes or published articles, such as reviews;
* Typed proposal outlining artistic ideas and approaches (no more than two typed pages); this should include an outline of the benefits of the residency to her/his stage of development as a writer and ideas in relation to public engagement during the residency.
Please note: please submit three copies of CV and proposal.
Please ensure that all submitted materials are clearly marked with the writer’s name.
Closing date : 12 noon on Wednesday 15 June 2011
Criteria for selection
* Artistic merit and distinctiviness of proposal
* Quality of previous work
* Suitability of the proposal to the context of dlr Libraries.
* Perceived ability to fulfil the requirements of the residency.
Interviews
Applicants will be short-listed on the basis of their submissions and short-listed applicants will be called for interview on Monday 4 July.
In advance of the residency the following will be agreed:
* Clear goals, roles and responsibilities and agreed criteria for the writer in residence, the Library Service and the Arts Office;
* Agreed programme of work that is flexible and responsive;
* Mediation and facilitation of the writer on site /Please note that a dedicated space in a library venue will not be available but a space could be made available if essential to the residency;
* Administrative support from the Culture & Marketing Team and the Arts Office will be provided;
* A timetable that balances time for the writer’s own work and time for interaction with various publics;
* Ongoing review and evaluation; regular meetings.
It should be noted that this is a part-time residency, which will require flexibility around working hours.
Summary of key dates
- May 2011: call for submissions
- Wednesday 15 June: closing date for receipt of submissions
- Monday 4 July: interviews for short-listed applicants
Budget information
The total budget for the residency is €15,000. This amount is to be fully inclusive of the writer’s fee of €13,000 (including VAT and insurance) and an allowance for materials and other related costs of €2,000.
Please note that the appointed writer will be required to have Public Liability Insurance with cover of €6.5 million. Non-Vat registered service providers may be liable for Professional Services Withholding Tax. The successful artist(s) will be required to provide Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council with a tax clearance certificate prior to signing of contracts.
Support from Dun Laoghaire Rathdown County Council
Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown Public Library Service and Arts Office will act as the liaison support between the writer, the local authority and local communities during the selection process and throughout the residency. The Senior Executive Librarian in Culture & Marketing will be responsible for administering contracts and payments to the writer.
Applications should be submitted to:
Oonagh Brennan,
Senior Executive Librarian,
Dun Laoghaire Rathdown Public Library Service,
2 Harbour Square, Crofton Road
Dún Laoghaire
Co. Dublin
Contact Information:
For inquiries: obrennan@dlrcoco.ie or
For submissions: Oonagh Brennan, Senior Executive Librarian, Dun Laoghaire Rathdown Public Library Service, 2 Harbour Square, Crofton Road, Dún Laoghaire
Website: http://www.dlrcoco.ie
