2022 Apprentice Poet in Residence
Application Pack
Ilkley Literature Festival’s Apprentice Poet in Residence role is an opportunity for a talented emerging poet at the start of their career, based in the North of England.
Ilkley Literature Festival is the longest-running literature festival in the North of England. Our 2022 Autumn programme will take place from 7-23 October.
Previous Apprentice Poets in Residence include Andrew McMillan – who went on to win the Guardian First Book Award; Eric Gregory Award winner Phoebe Power; Zodwa Nyoni – who went on to be Channel 4 Writer in Residence at West Yorkshire Playhouse; Mark Pajak, who went on to win a Northern Writer’s Award, an Eric Gregory Award and the Bridport Prize; 2019 joint Apprentice Poets in Residence Shash Trevett and Genevieve Carver; and Rheima Robinson, Creative Director of The Sunday Practise.
This is a unique opportunity for a poet at the start of their career and based in Yorkshire, the North East or the North West to:
- create a commission inspired by the festival’s programme themes;
- judge the 18-25 years category of our annual Walter Swan Poetry Prize and participate in a peer mentoring session with the winner;
- run a poetry/creative writing workshop for aspiring writers;
- raise the profile of their work through the association with a prestigious literature Arts Council England National Portfolio Organisation.
The Apprentice will have the opportunity to be mentored by the 2022 Poet in Residence, Kayo Chingonyi, subject to their availability over the festival dates, and will be given complimentary tickets to attend as many festival events as they may wish.
Festival Dates
Fri 7 – Sun 23 October 2022 inclusive.
Competition judging of the 18-25 years category of the Walter Swan Poetry Prize and the commission writing will take place during August-September.
Renumeration
We offer a fee of £750, provide overnight accommodation in Ilkley as may be required, and will reimburse reasonable travel expenses to and from Ilkley.
The successful candidate will:
- be based in the North of England (Yorkshire, North East or North West);
- have already had poems published, although won’t yet have published a collection;
- be committed to developing their work and career as a poet;
- be a serious emerging talent – the quality of work submitted will be a key factor in determining the apprenticeship.
How to Apply
Applications are now closed, thank you to all who have applied.
Interviews will be held w/c 20 June 2022.
For queries:
Email: recruitment@ilkleylitfest.org.uk
Tel: 01943 601210