Varuna announces new fellowships for writers with disability

Varuna, the National Writers’ House in Katoomba, NSW has partnered with NSW’s peak arts and disability organisation Accessible Arts to deliver a new fellowship program for 12 NSW writers with disability or who are D/deaf.

The Writer’s Space Fellowships offer a two-week program of creative development. Six writers will stay in residency at Varuna and another six writers will participate in an online residency; applicants will be able to select their preference.

The residency will include two group Q&A sessions, one with writer, speaker and disability activist Carly Findlay, the other with writer Tara Moss, as well as a one-hour session (one-on-one) with Varuna writing consultant Carol Major.

As part of the fellowship package, writers will also receive a professional development package of $1100 towards manuscript consultations, mentoring, or workshop participation. Each writer is able to use this funding to fit their individual needs.

According to Varuna strategic initiatives and development officer Rebecca Goosen, this is the first time Varuna is offering a program of in-person and online residencies in parallel, enabling 12 writers to network during their residency rather than six.

‘Vitally, it also means that writers with disability or who are D/deaf will be able to choose the mode of attendance, giving writers the flexibility they need. We have been working closely with Accessible Arts to ensure we create a truly accessible program,’ said Goosen.

‘2020 offered an opportunity to explore new ways of delivering our programs. We’ve had so much success creating online writing communities, working with writers who otherwise might have been prevented from joining us in person.’

Applications for the Writer’s Space Fellowships close 26 March. For more information see the Varuna website.

Category: Awards Local news