With no CPDP course happening at NFTS this year (although plenty of new ideas brewing for new courses, module and workshops - so watch this space), I’ve been helping write the ACE funding application for a big UEA digital literature project running from now ‘til June 2021. It’s called Future and Form and I'm delighted to say it's been green-lit! I'll be acting as exec digital producer for the whole shebang.
The University of East Anglia (UEA) is today announcing a major strand of its ambitious CW50 anniversary campaign, which celebrates 50 years of Creative Writing at UEA. The landmark project – called Future and Form – will see a number of leading writers work with creative technologists, local young people, schools and key cultural organisations to explore the interface between contemporary literature and creative technology. Writers commissioned by UEA include Ayòbámi Adébáyò, Mona Arshi, Tash Aw, Imogen Hermes Gowar, Mitch Johnson and James McDermott.Calling the quality of the project “outstanding” and identifying its “strong legacy contribution”, Arts Council England have granted £240,000 for the Future and Form project, which has a substantial overall budget. The project will culminate in a six-venue exhibition and a sweeping interactive and immersive online platform scheduled for spring 2021.
First task is going to be find digital production partners who can work with the stellar cast of writers to produce interesting prototypes, and organise online workshops for the writers introducing them to various platforms and reference works. A full Future and Form website will emerge in due course as well. There’s a lot to do!