Creative Borders
Challenge: Think of a dynamic and interesting way to bridge the growing gulf between cities and rural communities, using Hay Castle as an instrument for doing so, and present this project in a final form that reflects Hay-on-Wye as the first book town while adapting this heritage to the new world.
Working pattern:
Hot desking in Hay Castle with some time spent at other organisations. Full-time for six months or part-time for one year.
Who we’re looking for:
An Expert Storyteller with strong interpersonal skills, aptitude for building networks and connecting people and a community focus. You may have traditional storytelling skills (for example, writing). But, equally, we are open to applications from visual and/or multimedia storytellers.
Start date:
Story Associates will join the scheme in early September. They will start by taking part in a Deep Story Training Camp and will then move on to their Host projects and placements.
How:
You might approach this as an investigation of the value of Story Skills in building bridges between communities and/or in understanding places.
Award:
£37,099, pro rata, point 30 on National Spinal Point, or equivalent value fellowship grant (paid on supplier contract basis).
The scene is set…
Among the luscious green hills of the Welsh borderlands, in the historic market town of Hay-on-Wye sits Hay Castle, a mediæval defensive structure and Jacobean mansion that, over the centuries, has been inhabited by creatures as diverse as a revolutionary mediæval giantess and a 20th century self-declared king. Since 2022, though, it’s been a forward thinking arts centre committed to fortifying storytelling traditions, inspiring a love of the arts and lowering drawbridges to connect with under-represented and isolated rural communities.
A hero is summoned…
A hero is summoned to the castle. This valiant adventurer will help communities in the Welsh borders to tackle the challenges of rural isolation and will work to bridge the growing gulf between cities and rural communities.
This hero will be an exceptional storyteller working in any medium. They will bring their compassion and creativity to illuminating and enriching rural lifestyles. They will speak to and learn from inspiring people in the rural borderlands and innovate with creative ways to tell their stories. The hero will present their project in a final form that reflects the heritage of Hay-on-Wye as the first book town, while considering how this heritage can be adapted and updated for the new world. This creation will help Hay Castle to celebrate contemporary rural life, influence change by sharing and tracking problems of rural isolation, and contribute to the viability and sustainability of rural communities.
An adventure gets underway…
The Hay Castle hero will become an integral and regular feature of the calendar of activities offered at the castle, including a chance to present or perform at Hay Castle during the Hay Festival in 2024. They will have space to work and think in the unique environment of Hay Castle. They will have the chance to immerse themselves in the wider creative community of the Welsh borders, which is rich in exceptional creative institutions such as Rural Media, Open Sky, Meadow Arts, Black Mountains College, and the Hay Festival Foundation. They will mature and prosper as a storyteller while championing the needs and dreams of rural communities and building their profile in the arts community of the Welsh borders.
This adventure will contribute to the StoryArcs mission to explore the value and uses of Story Skills in life, learning and work. The findings brought back to StoryArcs HQ will be crucial in our development and co-creation of a Story Skill Set.
This is one of eleven projects. You can find out more about the Story Associate opportunity and explore all eleven opportunities.
Application Portal is now closed.
If you were unable to submit your application due to technical difficulties, personal reasons or other factors please contact us at story@bathspa.ac.uk.
