Writer in Residence

The Old Electric is delighted to announce an open call for a three-month writing residency dedicated to new writing in Blackpool. This has been supported by Factory International as one of their first Northern place based partnerships.

This opportunity is aimed at writers in the North who have at least two year’s writing experience under their belt (in any genre, including prose verse, script, poetry, spoken word, creative and non-fiction).

You’ll be resident in the heart of Blackpool, here at The Old Electric; we’d expect, as part of your residency, that you will engage directly with the location, existing participants and audiences and support new stems of creativity as well as new connections in the town and beyond.

The residency will take place over 15-20 days between March-July 2024 and you’ll be supported by TESP Artistic Director Melanie Whitehead to connect with broader programmes of new writing scheduled in 2024.

This residency offers time and space for contemplation alongside the opportunity to be immersed in this inspirational location; to write and engage with a host of communities. As part of the residency we ask for you to create a new piece of writing that could be shared publicly, inspired by your time at the venue.

The selected practitioner will receive:

• A fee of £3000

• Travel allowance of up to £250 (use of public transport is encouraged) to see work at Factory International

• Space at The Old Electric and access to the programme

• Supported meetings with other artists/residents

• Curation opportunities

• Mentorship