Singapore, 15 October 2012 – Emerging writers from around the world are invited to apply for the prestigious Singapore Creative Writing Residency, which is co-organised by The Arts House and the National University of Singapore University Scholars Programme (NUS USP).
The residency, which lasts for six months from July to December 2013, is one of the highlights in Singapore’s busy literary arts scene. The Resident Writer will stay at Cinnamon College, the USP residential college at NUS, and is expected to complete or make substantial progress with a written work in English. In addition, the writer will also be mentoring six young writers from NUS and conducting public programmes at The Arts House. The written work can be fiction or non-fiction, and may be in one of the following forms: prose, verse, stage play, radio play, or screenplay.
Says William Phuan, Director, The Arts House: “This is the second year of our Writing Residency, which is open to both Singapore and foreign writers. The selected writer would have large shoes to fill as our first Resident Writer, UK poet Jay Bernard, was actively involved in the Singapore literary and arts community, giving spoken word performances, conducting workshops and organising graphic poetry exhibitions. Furthermore, she mentored a group of aspiring writers and came up with two chapbooks,English Breakfast and The City is a Strange Song.”
Both books were published by local publisher Math Paper Press and launched at the recent Singapore Writers Festival.
Says Professor John Richardson, Director of NUS USP: “This is a residency in a literal sense. The writer is resident in our college - working, eating and living alongside our students. There is tremendous value in this. The students learn from the informal contact what it means to make a life of writing. But the writer also benefits. He or she becomes part of a complex, diverse, and fascinating community. We are extremely happy to have had Jay Bernard with us last year, and we look forward to welcoming the next writer into our community.”
Adds Mr Phuan: “The Arts House is committed to developing Singapore’s literary arts scene. Through this Writing Residency, we hope to stimulate more new writing as well as discussion of ideas and literary works.”
The Singapore Creative Writing Residency 2013 is open to emerging, published authors from any nationality. Applicants must submit a proposal as well as a representative body of work that displays accomplishment and commitment to a literary career. A selection committee will choose the Resident Writer. The postmarked deadline for application is 18 January, 2013. For more information and the application form, please visit www.theartshouse.com.sg/Develop/CreativeWritingResidencyor www.usp.nus.edu.sg/aboutusp/creative_writing. For enquiries, please This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
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About the Singapore Creative Writing Residency
The Singapore Creative Writing Residency aims to promote creative writing in Singapore by providing time and opportunity for the Resident Writer to complete or make substantial progress with a written work in English, as well as stimulate new writing from among potential writers through mentorship and public programmes. Organised by The Arts House and the National University of Singapore University Scholars Programme (NUS USP), the residency lasts six months and is open to all emerging, published writers of any nationality. The Resident Writer will be required to take up residence at Cinnamon College, the USP residential college at NUS. For more information, please visit www.theartshouse.com.sg/Develop/CreativeWritingResidency or www.usp.nus.edu.sg/aboutusp/creative_writing.
About The Arts House at The Old Parliament
Occupying the almost 200-year-old building that was Singapore's first Parliament House, The Arts House since its opening in 2004 has been offering its visitors a broad spectrum of lifestyle options, while at the same time playing an active role in the Singapore arts and creative scene. Since 2011, The Arts House has been focusing on the development of literary arts, while supporting and presenting programmes and festivals that aim to give a wide and multidisciplinary experience to our audiences. For more information, please visit www.theartshouse.com.sg.
About National University of Singapore University Scholars Programme
The University Scholars Programme (USP) is a multidisciplinary, partially residential, academic programme for NUS undergraduates. USP takes in 180 students each year, and offers the freedom to explore disciplines, a wide range of extracurricular and overseas opportunities, and a close community of talented and motivated students. The aim is to produce graduates with the intellectual rigour, initiative, and innovative spirit to make significant contributions to society. To this end, the USP provides an environment of enquiry, collaboration, and creative discovery, with unique modules designed to develop interdisciplinary thinking. Students learn to engage with ideas and situations, and to challenge themselves intellectually, socially and personally. For more information about USP, please visit www.usp.nus.edu.sg.
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For media enquiries, please contact:
Janice Zhang
Assistant Manager
Marketing & Communications
The Arts House
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. | D: +65 6332 6903
Tan Ai Lian
Senior Manager
Corporate Communications
University Scholars Programme, NUS
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. | D: +65 6516 1328