As part of the writing ambitions: Derbyshire Residencies Scheme we are hosting an event aimed at any writer who wants to learn more about funding, commissions and other opportunities open to writers.

Registration from 9.45am to 10.15am, light refreshments will be available.

Presentations include

An Introduction to Grants for the Arts- James Urquhart, Literature Relationship Manager at Arts Council England (ACE)
This presentation will cover several aspects of applying for Grants for the Arts, which is Arts Council England’s only fully open access, rolling funding programme that anyone could apply to who has an idea for an arts project. This will include who can apply, what you can apply for, examples of some of the previous successful bids, and the sort of things which are looked for in strong applications.
Arts Council England champions, develops and invests in artistic and cultural experiences that enrich people’s lives. They support a range of activities across the arts, museums and libraries – from theatre to digital art, reading to dance, music to literature, and crafts to collections. Great art and culture inspires us, brings us together and teaches us about ourselves and the world around us. In short, it makes life better. Between 2015 and 2018, ACE plan to invest £1.1 billion of public money from government and an estimated £700 million from the National Lottery to help create these experiences for as many people as possible across the country. After 15 years as a freelance literary critic, regularly published in a range of UK broadsheets, James joined Arts Council England in 2010. His role as Relationship Manager includes offering development and funding advice and monitoring our investments in literature projects and organisations.

Working on Development Together- Anne Holloway, Fundraising Manager at Writing East Midlands
Writing East Midlands is the writer development agency for the region. They run creative writing events and projects and develop opportunities for emerging and established writers. They work in partnership with a broad range of cultural organisations including schools, universities, arts venues, museums, libraries, producers and local authorities to encourage relationships between writers and their communities. Fundraising Manager, Anne Holloway, will outline some of the opportunities available to writers, including residencies, workshops, writing courses, mentoring schemes, critical appraisals, and one-to-one career development sessions as well as talking through some ways in which writers can access funding.

Funding Options from Foundation Derbyshire- Rosanna Dobson, Grants Officer at Foundation Derbyshire
Foundation Derbyshire is a local charity, philanthropy hub and grant maker. Pooling donations from individuals, families, local businesses and groups, the Foundation administers over 50 funds on behalf of local philanthropists. Our cause is Derbyshire and every year we provide over 250 grants to local community groups, voluntary groups and charities, all striving to tackle disadvantage, increase opportunities and raise the aspirations of Derbyshire residents. Grants Officer, Rosanna Dobson, will be providing an overview of the Foundation’s work as well as discussing some of our funding pots and practical ways to access the Foundation’s grants.

Private Writer or Public Dancer – Matt Black
Writer and poet Matt Black will explore the role that funding and commissions have played in his work, and how they have been useful, alongside the dance, the delights and the occasional dilemmas of balancing the needs of one’s own writing interests with the public world of work. He will also consider how writers become people who partners, of all kinds, want to work with.
Matt Black is a writer based in Sheffield and Leamington Spa. He writes poems (and occasionally fiction) for adults and children. He writes for publication on the page as well as for Spoken Word and performance. He enjoys commissions and collaborations with other artists, and works in all sorts of places and situations, specialising in tailor-made projects that range from the serious and educational to the crazy and sublime.

Each presentation will be followed by a question and answer session.

Cost £5.70 including light refreshments. Booking essential, book online at https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/funding-commissions-and-opportunities-for-writers-tickets-39124789298

The writing ambitions: Derbyshire Residencies Scheme is managed by Derbyshire County Council and supported using public funding from the National Lottery through Arts Council England.