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A pilot programme "celebrating words and stories" has received £158,000 worth of grants from Arts Council England and an Exeter-based charity, to fund a further two years in operation.
Quay Words has been granted £98,000 by ACE, with a further donation of £60,000 from literature development charity Exeter Canal and Quay Trust.
Based in Exeter's Custom House, the literature hub offers "development opportunities for emerging writers, employment for established writers and a haven for audiences to experience live literature and discussions."
The scheme's extension has been launched in partnership with ECQT.
Alan Williamson, ECQT chair of trustees, said: “we are delighted that Arts Council England have decided to make this generous grant to enable the Quay Words programme to be delivered for the next two years.
"With our partners Literature Works, we will do our level best to develop the concept of the magnificent Custom House as a literature hub, open to everyone.”
The programme was originally launched last June, and ran for six weeks. The programme included talks and workshops with novelists Patrick Gale and Amanda Craig.
ACE director of the South West Phil Gibby said: "ECQT and Literature Works are raising the profile of literature as an accessible and diverse art form through this brilliant literature hub at Exeter’s historic Custom House. Exeter’s newfound status as UNESCO City of Literature is testimony to the success of Quay Words’ first programme, as well as the excellent collaborative working that is taking place in the city.
"At the Arts Council, we believe that England’s cultural sector should aspire to be world-leading, which is why we’re so delighted to support this innovative project from ECQT.”
The scheme, which will run to summer 2022, will include a new position for a full time project officer.