Writers Vic to launch digital writers-in-residence program for carers in 2019

Writers Victoria will launch a new digital writers-in-residence program for carers in 2019, after it received an arts grant from the City of Melbourne in its recent funding round.

The program, called ‘Only Connect: Digital Residencies for Writers Who Are Carers’, offers six-month, digital writer-in-residence and professional development programs for two Victorian writers who ‘face significant barriers to participation in the writing community due to their primary role as carers’.

The two recipients will receive mentoring and editing support, as well as opportunities for networking, publication and fully subsidised participation in professional development workshops and seminars. Funding for child care or respite care will be provided to both recipients, and one of the residencies is earmarked for a primary carer who is from a remote or regional community. Recipients will be selected through an open application process

Writers Victoria director Angela Savage said the program was ‘a unique and timely opportunity to recognise and support the writers who spend their time supporting others’.

‘While Writers Victoria has a long track record of supporting writers who face barriers, our research revealed that primary carers are often left out.’

‘Writing by its nature is isolating, but carers of all kinds have an extra measure of isolation,’ said Savage. ‘The project will connect otherwise isolated writers with the writing community and with audiences for their work.’

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Category: Local news