The Next Page is a year long program which will place one emerging creative (or group of creatives) working in writing within the New South Wales Writers Centre – to support them, provide them with mentoring and networking as well as provide them with development opportunities both within the NSWWC program and through our networks.

The aim of the The Next Page is to provide an environment, and support structure, that will eventually see more journals, events and innovative organisations being created and more event based organisations being established, as well as creating an environment of encouragement and success.

Background: It is hard to be a new writing organisation in Sydney. We have no doubt a vibrant community of journals and organisations can provide opportunities for young writers in NSW as well as a greater sense of connection among writers. We’ve got some great ones here already but we want more as well as making sure the ones we have at the moment can survive and thrive.

Presently an individual, or individuals, looking to create an organisation or a journal or even a regular event can apply for Art start funding from Australia Council, a jump mentorship or the (now defunct) write in your face grant. In all of these programs the NSW emerging arts worker competes on a national program and receives limited structural support once successful. Organisational support and structuring is needed to ensure that these have the maximum chance for success and for sustainability.

The Centre has identified the great need for this support and nurturing of  small to medium sized initiatives, and the individuals with the innovation to begin their journey. This support, and the community it will create, is a definite need for New South Wales and for the development of our writing sector as a whole.  Thus we are piloting the Next Page in 2012

The Next Page in 2012: In our first year we have room for one organisation/ individual.

What we are looking for is an emerging journal, publication, event, happening or any writerly type thing. The brief is huge beyond the fact it must benefit writers.  There may be one of you there may be a group. You may have been going for a couple of years or you may just be in idea stage. You will have oodles of passion and need some help to go from idea to sustainability.

They will be provided with

1. Support – The Centres staff will provide them with support, advice and assistance with all the things that can help their idea come to life. Be it financial, marketing, management or administration.
   
2. Planning – the Centre will work with each group on plotting their path from innovation to realisation and map a pathway that sees them having the longest life possible for the organisation. This will involve looking at their structure, plans and as well as working with them on funding applications and income streams. At the end of the program each group/ individual will have a simple strategic plan as well as a comprehensive financial plan outlining income, sponsorship and funding targets and strategies to grow these areas
3. Office space– a hot desk with all photocopying, stationary, phone calls, dedicated phone line. mail and the like covered for the year plus access to meeting and event space
4. A industry mentor – a mentor sourced within the sector (or the arts at large) to provide another form of development through regular informal meetings
5. Regular monthly professional development sessions – the group will be assembled on a monthly basis for meetings, round tabling their issues as well as being exposed to specific industry professionals
6. Access to the NSWWC programming for the year – This will nuture them as writers, with them getting a golden pass over the years workshop programming
7. Honorarium – a small amount to cover their travel and lunches while working at the centre.
8. Programming initiative money – a small amount to be used in furthering their goals/ Possible for the initial ideas to be tested and trialled, possibly for organisational identity or maybe even for legal
9. Publicity – The Centre will provide its publicity tools for any events held by the Creative’s during the first year (and beyond)

Applications: We need  a short (max three pages sent ) application telling and inspiring us with

1.  What you are going to do

2. Who’s going to do it

3.  And what you want to get from your involvement in the Next Page

Applications close Monday the 16th January and need to be sent to dryding(at)nswwc.org.au