Manitoba Centre for Creative Writing and Oral Culture CALL FOR APPLICATIONS

A professional writer and/or storyteller is sought for the position of Writer/Storyteller‑in‑Residence at the University of Manitoba's Centre for Creative Writing and Oral Culture.  The three-month residency, from September 8 to December 8, 2015, will require the successful candidate to spend approximately 16 hours per week providing mentorship and practical artistic advice to developing writers and storytellers at the University of Manitoba, to give a limited number of readings and/or performances on campus, and to lead an informal non-credit workshop.  The remaining time is to be devoted to the writer or storyteller’s own artistic projects. The successful candidate will receive a salary of $15,000.00 CAD, plus rent-free accommodation and return transportation to Winnipeg.  There may also be a separate additional residency from January 3 to April 3, 2016, subject to availability of funds, so applicants are encouraged to mention their availability during this period as well.

The Centre for Creative Writing and Oral Culture is an interdisciplinary centre with a mandate to promote the creation and the study of the verbal arts, both oral and written.  Located at the University of Manitoba in the city of Winnipeg, the Centre sponsors readings, lectures, master classes and creative community projects that explore the connections between oral and written culture.  Winnipeg is renowned for its vibrant arts community and its multicultural citizenry, including the largest urban population of Aboriginal people in North America.  The Centre builds upon these local cultural strengths as a basis for its creative and critical work.  To learn more about the Centre, visit umanitoba.ca/centres/ccwoc/.

Applicants should provide a covering letter summarizing their qualifications for the position and describing the artistic and mentoring work they would undertake during the residency.  Applications must also include a CV or résumé of career achievements (publications, performances, awards, residencies), a writing sample of no more than 20 pages (double-spaced and typed in a standard 12-point font) and two letters of reference discussing the applicant’s skills as an artist and a mentor.  Storytellers are encouraged to submit links to their performance videos.

Candidates of all nationalities are encouraged to apply; however, full proficiency in English is required, and publications or performance credits in English would be an asset.  The Centre for Creative Writing and Oral Culture is committed to principles of employment equity.  The application deadline is Friday, November 7, 2014.

Electronic submissions of application materials are accepted at the Centre’s email address, but attachments must be in Microsoft Word, PDF, RTF or DocX only.  Please direct inquiries and electronic application materials to ccwoc@cc.umanitoba.ca. Applicants may also submit hardcopy applications to:

Dr. Warren Cariou, Director

Centre for Creative Writing and Oral Culture, University of Manitoba

391 University College, 220 Dysart Road

Winnipeg, Manitoba R3T 2M8 CANADA

Books and other materials sent in support of applications will not be returned.