Introduction
We’re looking for a Creative Writer to respond to Everything is Connected the exhibition of artworks belonging to the Methodist Modern Art Collection (MMAC) during Bradford 2025 City of Culture.
The Methodist Modern Art Collection is one of the Methodist Church’s greatest treasures. It is an outstanding collection of 20th and 21st Century religious art, founded in 1962 by Dr John Morel Gibbs during the post-war revival in British religious painting. Since then, it has grown to comprise more than 60 paintings, prints, drawings and sculptures by artists from across the world including some by well-known artists such as Graham Sutherland, Elisabeth Frink, Patrick Heron and Maggi Hambling. It has enhanced worship, opened faith conversations, amazed visitors, and inspired different art forms including poetry and dance.
As part of the Bradford City of Culture 2025 celebrations, in the early Autumn, five venues in the Bradford District will be exhibiting artworks held in the Methodist Modern Art Collection (MMAC). Whilst they all will have their own theme, they will all be linked via an Art Trail and the overall theme for the exhibition, Everything is Connected. The exhibition is being coordinated under the care of Yorkshire West Methodist District which covers Bradford and the surrounding area.
The Commission
Are you a writer who enjoys engaging with a wide range of people at different venues? Do you have experience of working with communities as part of your creative practice? Have you experience of spoken word performance? This is a wonderful opportunity to spend six weeks this autumn as the Creative Writer in Residence responding to the paintings on display, the themes the venues are exploring, the people who engage with them, the inspiration the paintings provide for creative written responses. The appointed writer will be able to immerse themselves in our exhibitions, working across all six of our venues, collaborating with broad audiences across all ages and with the volunteers who have helped bring these exhibitions together.
There will be opportunities for the writer to share their work and practice, providing creative and intellectual experiences during workshops and pop-up events engaging with a wide range of community partners. At least two writing workshops at different locations will be required.
We’re looking for a candidate who will be a published or performed writer with experience of leading workshops and creative sessions.
- You’ll be confident and curious and enthusiastic to make the most of this opportunity
- Willing to spend time at each venue, talking and exploring responses with visitors and volunteers.
- Outputs will include leading creative writing sessions, spoken word pop up events, writing and poetry sessions, spoken word performances.
- Familiarity with the city of Bradford / the surrounding District
As part of your introduction to the project you will be asked to attend two training sessions in August and to attend as an observer the hanging of one exhibition and to deliver a short-spoken word performance at one of the evening opening events. The culmination of the residency will be a commission to create a piece of spoken word to feature in an evening performance potentially working with the Artist in Residence as part of an ‘In Conversation’ event towards the close of the exhibition. The writings produced during the residency will be printed in a booklet providing legacy for the exhibition.
Please see the attached document for the full brief and details of how to apply.
Apply now