A Literature Network Project

Literature Network, in partnership with open mic nights from Leicester, Derby and Nottingham, Apples and Snakes, Mainstream Partnership and Phoenix Arts is staging a regional spoken word showcase, linked to the 200th anniversary of the abolition of the transatlantic slave trade.

The Freedom Showcase will feature emerging and professional writers from the three cities of Leicester, Derby and Nottingham. Each will have been commissioned to create new work specially for this event, working through an intensive development process with mentors and a project director.

This innovative project requires a passionate and creative artistic team to deliver an unmissable cultural event:

WRITERS (x 9): £1,000 fee. You will be supported through mentoring and development workshops, led by an experienced team to create new work for this showcase. You will have opportunities to network and raise your profile with regional and national players from the live literature/spoken word sectors.

DIRECTOR: £3,000 inclusive fee. We want to be inspired by your creative vision for the Freedom Showcase.

MENTORS (x 2): £2,000 inclusive fee. You will work with our writers, crafting their contribution to the showcase with an eye on their longterm development as artists

COORDINATOR: £4,050 fee. You will ensure the project runs smoothly, organizing and publicising the showcase, supporting the director and mentors.

For details of all roles and how to apply, see below.

£1,000 Spoken Word Commission

The Freedom Showcase Project Group seeks to commission 9 culturally diverse artists, based in Leicester, Derby and Nottingham (3 from each city) to create new work for a spoken word showcase to take place on Thursday 19 July, 2007 in Leicester.

The showcase theme is ‘Freedom’, linked to the 200th anniversary of the abolition of the transatlantic slave trade. (See below for Project Summary.)

Writers selected for the project will each be commissioned to create new material for the showcase event. An overall artistic director will be appointed for the project, to create the final showcase event.

Four two day workshops will take place for the writers on the project between February and July 2007. Each writer will have the opportunity to work with an experienced writing mentor to develop and craft their work.

The project team for the Showcase includes Literature Development Officers from all three cities, representatives of open mic spoken word events in the three cities, including Blackdrop, Sugar Shack and The Word, Apples and Snakes East Midlands Coordinator, Steve Carroll and Carol Leaming from Mainstream Partnership.

Commission Fee: £1,000 (includes all expenses and is based on attendance at all workshop sessions and writing to deadlines as set by the mentors/director)

To be considered for a commission, you must perform at an Open Mic/Spoken Word events in Leicester, Derby or Nottingham during February:

Ring the contacts below to book a performance slot!
Leicester: The Word: 7 Feb, Bambu CONTACT Steve Carroll on 07870 608875
Derby: Sugar Shack: Feb, CONTACT Stef Hernandez on 01332 716611
Nottingham: CONTACT Cathy Grindod on 0115 915 8737

Mentors

The Freedom Showcase Project Group seeks two experienced writer mentors, with enthusiastic interest in spoken word/live literature to work on a regional showcase of culturally diverse writing/performance. The showcase theme is ‘Freedom’, linked to the 200th anniversary of the abolition of the transatlantic slave trade

The showcase will take place on Thursday 19 July, 2007 at Phoenix Arts in Leicester.

The showcase will feature 9 culturally diverse writer/performers who will have been commissioned to create new work for the showcase. They will work with you and another mentor, as well as the Project Director to develop the showcase performance between February and July.

The Director will have final decision on the writers to be selected, taking into account the views of a team of ‘scouts’. The scouts will be comprised of members of the ‘Freedom Showcase Project Group’, including representatives from monthly open mic nights in the three cities of Leicester, Derby and Nottingham, Literature Development Officers from the three cities and representatives from Mainstream Partnership and Apples and Snakes.

4 x 2 day workshops, (2 to take place in March, 2 before July) will be scheduled. Your role will be to develop the writers’ ideas, writing and performance through these workshops and through email/phone contact in between workshops.

You will work under the overall artistic direction of the Director of the Project Showcase. You will be supported by a Project Coordinator, who will have overall responsibility for the smooth running of the project. You will be required to attend some Project Group meetings to update the team on progress.

Fee: £2,000 to include all expenses, travel and accommodation. Based on 10 days work

Availability: You must be available to attend showcase on Thursday 19 July and to attend/lead all workshops.

Requirements:
Mentoring experience.
Experience of supporting writing and performance development of culturally diverse artists, particularly emerging artists
Strong understanding of contemporary spoken word/live literature scene
Experience of collaboration with multiple partners
Excellent interpersonal skills

Director

The Freedom Showcase Project Group seeks an experienced director, with enthusiastic interest in spoken word/live literature to work on a regional showcase of culturally diverse writing/performance. The showcase theme is ‘Freedom’, linked to the 200th anniversary of the abolition of the transatlantic slave trade. (See Over for Project Summary.)

The showcase will take place on Thursday 19 July, 2007 at Phoenix Arts in Leicester.

The showcase will feature 9 culturally diverse writer/performers from Leicester, Derby and Nottingham who will have been commissioned to create new work for the showcase and will work with you and two mentors to develop the showcase performance between February and July 2007.

You will have final decision on the writers to be selected, taking into account the views of a team of ‘scouts’. The scouts will be comprised of members of the ‘Freedom Showcase Project Group’, including representatives from monthly open mic nights in the three cities of Leicester, Derby and Nottingham, Literature Development Officers from the three cities and representatives from Mainstream Partnership and Apples and Snakes. The selected writers will be teamed with 2 mentors who will work with you over 4 x 2 day workshops, (2 to take place in March, 2 before July) to develop their ideas, writing and performance.

You will be responsible for the overall artistic direction of the Showcase, including liaison with the venue and technical staff. You will be supported by a Project Coordinator, with overall responsibility for the smooth running of the project. You will be required to attend project group meetings to update the team on progress.

Fee: £3,000 to include all expenses, travel and accommodation.
Based on 15 days

Availability: You must be available to attend the showcase on Thursday 19 July and to attend/lead all workshops.

Requirements:
A vision for the showcase event which matches our ambitions for the project
Experience directing events of similar scale and scope
Experience working with culturally diverse artists, particularly emerging artists
Understanding of contemporary spoken word/live literature scene
Experience of collaboration with multiple partners
Excellent interpersonal skills
You should be open to being ‘shadowed’ on the project.

Co-ordinator

The Freedom Showcase Project Group seeks an experienced co-ordinator, with enthusiastic interest in spoken word/live literature to coordinate and publicise a regional showcase of culturally diverse writing/performance. The showcase will take place on Thursday 19 July, 2007 at Phoenix Arts in Leicester and is linked to the 200th anniversary of the abolition of the transatlantic slave trade (See Project Summary overleaf)

The coordinator will have overall responsibility for the smooth running of the project and organisation of the showcase, liaising with the director, mentors, writers and project group to ensure the showcase is a successful and significant live literature event. Full details are included in the attached job description and person spec.

This is an opportunity for a passionate, creative organiser to be part of an enthusiastic team, working on an exciting regional live literature/spoken word showcase.

Fee: £4,050 based on 30 days work February – August 2007

Availability: You must be available to attend the showcase on Thursday 19 July. You should be available to start work in February 2007.

Please send us a CV together with a letter which clearly outlines your interest in the post and why you are suitable.

Deadline for Applications: Friday 26 January, 5pm (email is acceptable)

INTERVIEWS WILL BE HELD IN LEICESTER ON WEDNESDAY 31 JANUARY

Please apply to Naomi Wilds, Regional Coordinator, Literature Network c/o Charnwood Arts, 31 Granby Street, Loughborough, Leicestershire, LE11 3DU or by email: To discuss further, call 0775 352 8919

Co-ordinator Job Description

Post Title: Freedom Showcase Coordinator

Responsible to: Freedom Showcase Steering Group (Line Managed by Literature Network Regional Coordinator)

Terms – Freelance
Timespan – 7 months (Feb 07 to Aug 07)
Fee – £4,050 (based on 30 days @ £135 per day)
Length of Tenure – from onset of contract until August 2007, subject to satisfactory delivery of project. One month notice period.

Overall purpose of the post:
To coordinate the Freedom Showcase, working with partners in Leicester, Nottingham and Derby in line with the aims of the Literature Network and the Three Cities Cultural Consortium.

Major Objectives:

1. Coordinate a one-day live literature/spoken word showcase and pre-showcase networking event, to take place at Phoenix Arts in Leicester on 19 July, 2007

2. Coordinate marketing and promotion of the showcase and networking events to key audiences in association with members of the steering group

3. Support Director, Mentor, Writers and Spoken Word Open Mic Nights involved in the project

4. Organise four x 2 day workshops in which commissioned writers, mentors and director create new work for the showcase

5. Report as appropriate on progress of project including setting up and collating evaluation at conclusion of project

Summary of job tasks:

– Distribute information about new commissions, available at February Open Mic sessions, using steering group partners and other outlets as appropriate, including liaison with press and through word of mouth marketing.

– Coordinate selection process for new commissioned writers

– Coordinate teaming of writers with mentors

– Organise 4 x 2 day workshops, in which commissioned writers, mentors and director create new work for the showcase, including booking appropriate spaces, liaising with writers and mentors

– Raise awareness of project and publicise showcase event in association with steering group, press, communities of interest and regional/national literature/spoken word contacts

– Ensure groups involved in project make appropriate use of ‘Go See’ fund to develop their own practice

– Manage the project budget, organising payments through Charnwood Arts, working to their financial procedures

– Lead project meetings as appropriate to ensure project works to time and is delivered as outlined in the Freedom Showcase proposal

– Organise evaluation of project with all partners, writing final report on the project for funders and partners.

– Report writing during course of project as appropriate to keep funders up to date with progress.