An exciting opportunity is available for emerging or established writers who are developing new work in creative writing or illustration with the 2019 Arts NT Varuna Residential Fellowship program opening Monday, 1 April 2019.

The program offers four professional development fellowships and support for two Top End writers and two from the Central Desert region.

Department of Tourism, Sport and Culture Director of Arts NT Angela Hill said this is the third year of partnership with Varuna, providing access to a national professional development opportunity.

“The fellowships include a two-week residency at Varuna, The National Writers’ House, in the Blue Mountains providing uninterrupted time to write in the company of fellow writers,” Ms Hill.

In 2018 the residency supported two Alice Springs and two Darwin based writers to develop a range of works including a children’s picture book, fiction novels and a narrative poem including:

• Sue Fielding for Boy in midair, a braided narrative long poem that explores the impact of a brother's suicide
• Sandra Kendell for Beauty, a children's picture book set in Darwin about the importance of trees and community
• Leonie Norrington for Song of the Curlew, an historical fiction novel set in pre-colonial Arnhem Land inspired by a true story about a girl who was kidnapped by a Macassan trader
• Dani Powell for Return to Dust, a literary fiction novel about grief set in the desert.

Varuna Executive Director Veechi Stuart said “Varuna provides an immersive and nurturing environment where you can feel inspired, be incredibly productive, and meet new peers and friends. When you’re a writer in residence at Varuna, everything is catered for - all you have to think about is your writing, and perhaps when to make the occasional cup of tea.”

Applicants will need to submit between 7,000 and 10,000 words from the beginning of their manuscript, along with a synopsis of the entire work. For poetry, applicants will need to submit a selection of 10 poems.

Residencies can be undertaken between July and December 2019.

Applications open Monday 1 April 2019 and close Tuesday 14 May 2019. To apply and for further information visit https://www.varuna.com.au/fellowships/artsnt

For more information about Arts Grants, visit https://nt.gov.au/leisure/arts-culture-heritage/arts-funding-and-grants

Media Contact
Department of Tourism, Sport and Culture Media Manager: 0476 844 832
Varuna Creative Director Amy Sambrooke (02) 4782 5674