Applications are now open for the Caselberg Trust Margaret Egan Cities of Literature Writers Residency for 2023, in Dunedin UNESCO City of Literature.

The aim of the Residency is to provide international and Aotearoa New Zealand writers an opportunity to work on a substantial piece of creative writing and to foster connections among creative writers in Aotearoa New Zealand and internationally. There are no limits in terms of genre, language, or length of writing, and completion of the project during the Residency is not a requirement.

The Residency is offered annually for a period of six weeks to writers from other UNESCO Cities of Literature and to Aotearoa New Zealand writers in alternating years. In 2023 the Residency is offered to a writer from another UNESCO City of Literature.

The Caselberg Trust Margaret Egan Cities of Literature Writers Residency is run jointly and collaboratively by the Caselberg Trust and Dunedin UNESCO City of Literature. Funding from the Caselberg Trust is provided through a generous bequest by the late Margaret Egan.

The Caselberg House is situated in a quiet corner of Whakaohorahi Broad Bay on the Otago Peninsula, 15 km from the city of Dunedin and on a city bus route. The house is a small one-bedroom house and overlooks Kamau Taurua Quarantine Island in the Otago Harbour. The house is big enough to accommodate a single person or couple.

APPLICATION DEADLINE is  11.59PM (NZST), Friday 14th APRIL 2023.

When

The Residency is for a period of 6 weeks, from arrival: 3 October, to departure: 14 November 2023.

Who

In 2023 the Residency is offered to a writer from another UNESCO City of Literature with at least one published work. The applicant must be normally resident in another UNESCO City of Literature on the closing date for applications. The aim of the Residency is to provide an opportunity to work on a substantial piece of creative writing and to foster connections among creative writers in Aotearoa New Zealand and internationally.

What we offer

All residents receive a stipend of NZ$4,000.

In addition, international residents will receive up to NZ$3,000 towards travel costs. All residents are responsible for booking their own return travel, health insurance and visas.

The international Residency 2023 has been planned to coincide with the biennial Dunedin Writers & Readers Festival and the Festival Trust has generously made available to the resident a Festival Pass and green-room entry to all Festival events. There may also be some involvement in English in the Festival programme (at the discretion of the Festival Trust).

What we expect

The resident is expected to work consistently on their identified project during the period of the Residency.

The resident may be expected to attend Residency-related events conducted in English during the Residency period e.g. welcoming evening, sponsor events, interviews, and community events related to Residency project/theme.

The resident will acknowledge the support of the Caselberg Trust and Dunedin UNESCO City of Literature on any publications, events, publicity, exhibitions, performances, etc. which contain or reference work created as part of their Residency project and will notify the Caselberg Trust and Dunedin UNESCO City of Literature.

At the conclusion of the Residency, the resident will be expected to write a brief report (in English) reflecting on their Residency period for the Caselberg Trust and Dunedin UNESCO City of Literature newsletters, websites, social media etc.

Applications

Applications will only be accepted on the Caselberg Trust Margaret Egan Cities of Literature Writers Residency Application Form, prior to the deadline for applications to be received.

Applications must be submitted in English by email only.

The selection process is a selection panel convened and administered by Dunedin UNESCO City of Literature.

Selection of the chosen resident is at the discretion of the selection panel and will include consideration of:

• A letter in English stating the applicant’s postal address and outlining why the applicant wishes to apply for the Residency.
• A CV or summary in English of the applicant’s creative achievement in writing.
• The merits of the proposed work (in English).
• A testimonial (in English) signed by an organisation from your City of Literature.
• Two referees.

The resident will be expected to sign a contract in English with the Caselberg Trust, and this will be sent out to the resident at the time they are notified that their application is successful.

We recommend reading the full Information for Applicants 

Queries and applications for the 2023 Residency to:

Nicky Page, Director City of Literature
+64 21 810 057
nicky.page@dcc.govt.nz