National Centre for Writing launches Open Doors programme

The National Centre for Writing (NCW) is launching an Open Doors programme, with authors including Derek Owusu and Abir Mukherjee, exploring ways of connecting with audiences and reflecting on the role of a writer.

The programme will include an immersive play, new essays, interactive writing resources and micro residencies. Owusu, Mukherjee and Kerri ní Dochartaigh are among those who will create new work as part of the programme, reflecting on how the experience of the past year has impacted their writing.

Programme director Peggy Hughes said: “Open Doors is a programme of exciting new work and collaboration, commissioned during this most extraordinary year of closed doors. While creative livelihoods and outlets have been imperilled and risks have been very near and frighteningly tangible, it felt vital to encourage artists to create and to support them to imagine other vistas. It is, after all, as Rebecca Solnit says in her book, A Field Guide to Getting Lost, ‘the job of the artists to open doors and invite in prophesies, the unknown, the unfamiliar’. Open Doors has enabled us to commission new work and to try new ways of working—something of fundamental importance as we prepare to reopen our venue doors to a changed world and the new possibilities it brings.”

The programme also features “The Group”, a new interactive play told live via WhatsApp from Jack McNamara and musician Angharad Davies. "The Group" is a three-part anthology told live via WhatsApp.

Meanwhile, in “Looking, Large and Small”, environmental historian Jessica J Lee joins novelist and illustrator Rowan Hisayo Buchanan for an online seasonal pack of observations, illustrations and exercises which provide audiences with the tools to connect with nature close to home.

Five micro writing residencies at the National Centre for Writing’s medieval home, Dragon Hall, have been awarded to Anne Amienne, Alexandra Birrell, Megan Bradbury, Carrie Patten and Julia Webb. Their works-in-progress span creative non-fiction, poetry and fiction.

NCW is also working with artists to connect with the communities around Dragon Hall. Among the first of the projects is a new writing experience aimed at young people delivered by Lewis Buxton and Daisy Henwood of poetry collective Toast.

Open Doors is funded by Arts Council England via the Ambition for Excellence programme.

Hazel Edwards, area director for the south east at Arts Council England, said: “We’re really pleased to have supported the Open Doors programme thanks to National Lottery funding. These new commissions will enable writers, artists and scientists to research and develop exciting new ways of working, ones that may transform how we create work, as well as influencing how audiences can and do engage with it. I look forward to seeing all these projects come to fruition.”

For more information about Open Doors visit the website.