Are you a writer who enjoys engaging with a wide range of people at different venues? Do you have experience of working with communities as part of your creative practice? Have you experience of spoken word performance? This is a wonderful opportunity to spend six weeks this autumn as the Creative Writer in Residence responding to the paintings on display, the themes the venues are exploring, the people who engage with them, the inspiration the paintings provide for creative written responses. The appointed writer will be able to immerse themselves in our exhibitions, working across all six of our venues, collaborating with broad audiences across all ages and with the volunteers who have helped bring these exhibitions together. There will be opportunities for the writer to share their work and practice, providing creative and intellectual experiences during workshops and pop-up events engaging with a wide range of community partners. At least two writing workshops at different locations will be required. We're looking for a candidate who will be a published or performed writer with experience of leading workshops and creative sessions. You'll be confident and curious and enthusiastic to make the most of this opportunity. Willing to spend time at each venue, talking and exploring responses with visitors and volunteers. Outputs will include leading creative writing sessions, spoken word pop up events, writing and poetry sessions, spoken word performances. Familiarity with the city of Bradford / the surrounding District. We'd like the writer to deliver a short-spoken word performance at one of the evening opening events. The culmination of the residency will be a commission to create a piece of spoken word to feature in an evening performance potentially working with the Artist in Residence as part of an 'In Conversation' event towards the close of the exhibition. As part of your introduction to the project you will be asked to attend two training sessions in August and to attend as an observer the hanging of one exhibition and to deliver a short-spoken word performance at one of the evening opening events. The culmination of the residency will be a commission to create a piece of spoken word to feature in an evening performance potentially working with the Artist in Residence as part of an 'In Conversation' event towards the close of the exhibition. The writings produced during the residency will be printed in a booklet providing legacy for the exhibition. The overall exhibition held across the five venues will open across w/c 1st September 2025 and run until Sunday 12th October 2025. There is potential for the writer's and workshop participants' work to be displayed for a further few weeks up to late November 2025. Start date: August / September 2025 The core fee is a maximum of £6000 based on up to 20 days work (18.5 hours a week on average). How to apply The Yorkshire West Methodist District, together with the Management Committee of the Methodist Modern Art Collection is inviting responses to this brief and remains open to ideas from all writers across all forms. Your proposal should be no more than two sides of A4, briefly outlining your practice and how you feel it relates to MMAC Bradford 2025. It would help us understand what it is about the Collection that interests you. Please also include an outline of your idea for how you would approach this residency at a multi venue exhibition over a short, concentrated period and how this residency will help develop your own career. This can include ideas you have about engaging audiences and collaborating with volunteers at each venue through workshops. Please include the following in your application:Job Summary
Job Description
Job Requirements
Job Responsibilities
Useful Links
How to Apply
1. Your contact details (name, phone number, address, email).
2. Full CV
3. Tell us about your connections and commitment to Bradford and the City of Culture 2025.
4. An example of your work (weblink or an attachment) including public performance if possible.
5. A brief project timeline.
6. An indicative budget for how you will spend the budget.
7. Any access needs you may have and costs relating to this.
8. Any other support you need from us where relevant.
The contact details of two references, at least one professional (e.g. an organisation you have worked with before / in the last 2 years). These can be on a separate page to your core application.
Please send your application by email to Verity Smith, Faith & Arts Development Lead, at [email protected] by Monday 31st March 2025 at 5pm.
Applications sent after this time will not be accepted.