Some very exciting news to kick off the new year here at the ACT Writers Centre…
The ACT Writers Centre has received two years of funding (2018-2019) for their year-long HARDCOPY program from The Australia Council for the Arts.
The Australia Council for the Arts has funded the Centre’s highly regarded program since 2014, but this is the first time it has committed to 2 years of support, totalling $100,000.
Minister for the Arts Gordon Ramsay congratulated the ACT Writers Centre, acknowledging the high level of quality writing and publishing that comes out of the ACT.
‘Two years of funding from the Australia Council for HARDCOPY at the ACT Writers Centre is a wonderful recognition of the work being done by our fantastic local arts organisations,’ Minister Ramsay said.
‘This crucial funding will assist our local emerging writers to keep producing work of which the Canberra community can be proud.’
HARDCOPY is a unique national program that develops emerging Australian writers. Each year, through a competitive application process, 30 emerging writers are selected to participate in the program, which involves coming to the ACT to attend a 3-day manuscript development masterclass (May) and 3 days of presentations and panels about the publishing industry (September), before 10 participants are selected to meet prominent agents and publishers and receive industry-level feedback (November).
The combination of manuscript development, industry education, and agent/publisher feedback is considered unique in Australia. Further, the Australian publishing industry has embraced the program, meaning there are mutually beneficial outcomes for the participating writers and agents and publishers.
‘This is an exciting outcome for the ACT Writers Centre,’ said Centre Director Sarah Mason, ‘and we thank the Australia Council for the ongoing support of HARDCOPY and artsACT for supporting the ACT Writers Centre.
Having two years of funding will help us plan and grow the program and provide even more opportunities for emerging Australian writers.’
‘Importantly, the Australia Council funding will enable new initiatives in 2018 and 2019 including a digital version of the program, which will allow those who experience barriers to participation to be involved; and a scholarship for an Indigenous writer – a collaboration with First Nations Australia Writers’ Network.’
‘Not only does HARDCOPY develop emerging Australian writers,’ said Miss Mason, ‘but it has demonstrable benefits to our members and ACT-region writers and readers more generally. Together with Key Arts Organisation funding from the ACT Government through artsACT, the Australia Council funding will significantly enhance our position as an arts organisation that continues to build its commitment to support writers and their work. Through programs like HARDCOPY, the ACT Writers Centre is continuing to show that the ACT region is where great writing happens.’
For more information about HARDCOPY program, please visit the HARDCOPY page on our website. Information about how to apply for the 2018 program will be announced next month.
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