Applications invited for DCU Writer in Residence Scheme

The DCU Writer in Residence scheme was established in partnership with the Arts Council, to provide a stimulating university environment for the resident artist and afford them a degree of financial support to concentrate on their own practice. The residency brings energy and dynamism to the university, and allows students and faculty to engage with a practicing artist for a concentrated period.

About the Residency 

The Writer in Residence will be engaged for the calendar year 2022 and will primarily support creative writing modules in the School of English, Dublin City University, but will also have opportunities to engage with the school’s wider undergraduate and postgraduate offerings, as well as with the wider university. 

The residency will be divided into two parts: 

1. From January to June 2022 the Writer in Residence will be supported to engage with students and staff. This programme of engagement will be designed by the resident writer, in consultation with the faculty of the university, and could include focused teaching, workshops, mentoring, public events or other activities which bring new energy to the Creative Writing programmes. Contact time with staff and students during this time will be capped at 4 hours per week, and the writer will not be obliged to deliver core curriculum. 

2. From July onwards, the writer will be supported to concentrate on his or her own practice. 

Fees to the Writer in Residence

The fee to the Writer in Residence is €30,000, with the Arts Council contributing €20,000 and the university €10,000. Dublin City University will provide the Writer in Residence with a dedicated space, where they can conduct their own creative practice, within the university. Dublin City University will also support the residency administratively. 

Who May Apply? 

The award is open to professional writers working in all literary genres and forms. Applications will be considered from writers of fiction, poetry, creative non-fiction, graphic fiction and children’s and young adult fiction and poetry. 

To be eligible to apply, applicants must:  

• Be resident in the Republic of Ireland. There are certain exceptions where the Arts Council may deem eligible applications made by those based outside the Republic of Ireland. However, before admitting as eligible any such application, the applicant would need to write to the Arts Council and explicitly outline within the application how the outcomes of any such proposal would benefit the arts in the Republic of Ireland, and the Arts Council must be satisfied with same. Enquiries in relation to this should be directed to Sarah Bannan, Head of Literature, at sarah.bannan@artscouncil.ie.  
• Be professional practising artists. Although they might not earn income continuously or exclusively from their arts practice, applicants must identify themselves, and be recognised by their peers, as professional practising artists.  
• In line with the Public Sector Equality and Human Rights Duty, the Arts Council is committed to ensuring that it takes positive policy measures to promote equality of opportunity for all those living in Ireland, regardless of their gender, sexual orientation, civil or family status, religion, age, disability, race or membership of the Traveller Community. Furthermore, the Arts Council notes the ground of socioeconomic background as a further basis for which equality of opportunity must be guaranteed. The Arts Council therefore welcomes applications that are representative of the diversity of Irish society, including but not limited to any of the characteristics outlined above. 

Making an Application 

To make an application, writers should provide, within a single document:  A detailed proposal, which sets out how they would propose to engage with students, staff and the wider campus and community, and indicates relevant experience to support this approach.  A one page artist’s statement, which describes how the residency could impact on the writer’s practice.  A detailed CV, setting out artistic achievements and accomplishments. 

Closing date for applications

Applications will be accepted by email only to: Keith O'Sullivan, the Head of the School of English at keith.osullivan@dcu.ie by 5.30 pm on Thursday, 28 October 2021. Applications received after the closing date will not be accepted. 

Assessment Process 

Upon receipt of applications, the Arts Council and Dublin City University will establish a selection committee, which will be made up of two representatives from Dublin City University, one from the Arts Council, and an external panellist with literary expertise. 

The selection committee will shortlist applicants based on the following criteria:  

• artistic track record of applicant  
• quality of idea/approach (referred to above) as outlined in the application  
• potential impact of residency on writer’s own creative practice 

A shortlist will be established (of no more than 6 writers). Shortlisted writers will be called to interview. The interview will allow the shortlisted writers to discuss their plans and experience in more detail. The panel will make the final decision based on the above criteria.