Nonfiction nature writer/eco-poetry tutors sought to deliver writing workshops on the lived experience of wellbeing and the sublime in the natural world through the lens of climate change.

 

Health of the Sublime is a multi-year project focusing on the lived experience of wellbeing and the sublime in the natural world and the threat posed to that lived experience by climate change. In year one, participants were given free tuition in nature writing/poetry, video, audio, art in nature, and for some housebound participants, virtual reality. From their artworks and writings we made an interactive digital map of their lived experience of wellbeing and the sublime in the natural world. We are soon to commence years 2-3, still very much focusing on the lived experience of wellbeing and the sublime in the natural world, but through the lens of climate change. Lead artist Carrie Fertig has partnered with Mearns and Coastal Healthy Living Network (MCHLN) to bring a programme of arts activity to their clients, volunteers, and staff. The remit of MCHLN is to support the wellbeing of people age 50+ in and around Kincardenshire. Clients and volunteers range in age from early 50s to early nineties. Health of the Sublime is supported by Creative Scotland.

 

The nature writing/poetry workshops are an integral part of this multi-year project. Whilst the project pays Scottish Artist Union rates, all tuition is offered free of charged to participants. The aim is to help focus on the experience of wellbeing and the sublime in the natural world, how climate change impacts these places we love, and our ability to express it creatively through words, audio, video, sculpture, and virtual reality. Health of the Sublime in the Mearns addresses social isolation, climate crisis, rurality, equalities, inclusion, diversity, and digital disenfranchisement through a multi-year programme of creative activity.

 

The project fosters skills to heighten awareness of wellbeing in the natural world so participants can access those feelings more often, in the natural world and outwith it; to bring new means of connection between clients, staff, and volunteers of MCHLN and the wider community focusing on our individual and shared experiences of the world and our interdependence with each other and the planet; to empower each participant with respect for, to have confidence in, and value their distinct voice and experience by helping participants develop multiple expressive skills, as well as digital skills, and multiple methods of sharing that voice and experience with other participants and more widely, including performance opportunities. 

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We seek up to three tutors, one for each of three six-week blocks of tuition. Each session is two hours per week over Zoom. When during the week is up to your availability but we would prefer sometime Monday-Wednesday during the day. Students run the gamut of experience from no nature writing experience through post-graduate degree. We seek warm, inclusive tutors. The writing will happen during the sessions and is not expected to happen outwith the sessions.

 

In addition to the tuition blocks, there will be two open mics or other word-based events associated with each block we invite the tutors to co-chair with lead artist Carrie Fertig. In block one that is Grampian Wellbeing Festival (May 17-18th events), in block two it is International Day of Older Persons (October 1st), and in block three it is Climate Week Northeast (March14-15th events). A travel allowance of up to 70 miles @ £0.45 or £63, and accommodation are covered, and a fee of £190 for these two 2-hour in-person events: an evening event in Stonehaven, followed by a morning event in Laurencekirk. 

The three blocks of tuition happen:

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Block 1: April 15th-May 24th, 2024

one two-hour session per calendar week for six weeks + two open mic events, May 17th-18th

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Block 2: September 2nd- October 10th, 2024

one two-hour session per calendar week for six weeks + two open mic events

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Block 3: February 17th - March 27th, 2025

one two-hour session per calendar week for six weeks + two open mic events

 

Fee per block: £1055.20

 

The fee paid for the tuition is £865.20, based on Scottish Artist Union rates 5 years + experience. There will be three cohorts of six weeks each. In each week, one two-hour session will be delivered over Zoom @£43.26 per hour. New rates will be published by SAU around April 6th, after selection. If SAU rates are higher than anticipated, we will match them.The fee is comprised of six two-hour sessions @ current SAU rates @£42 per hour + 3% estimated increase for the coming tax year. £43.26 x 2 = £86.52 x 6 = £519.12. The fee also covers one day of admin @ £346.08. £519.12 + £346.08 = £865.20 + £190 = £1055.20

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Fee disbursement:

Block 1: April 15th, 2024: £633.12. May 27th, 2024: £422.08

Block 2:  September 2nd, 2024 £633.12. October 14th, 2024: £422.08

Block 3: February 17th, 2025 £633.12. April 1st, 2025: £422.08

 

We seek a nonfiction nature writer or poet for whom the project resonates, experienced in nonfiction workshops, who can help build skills, confidence in one’s own lived experience of wellbeing in the natural world, how climate change impacts these beloved places of well-being, and the ability to express that in nonfiction nature writing or poetry, within a group that may have no nature writing experience through to post-graduate degree level. Writing workshops to include discussion of the sublime in the natural world, eco-poetics, and writing exercises. The writing will happen during the sessions and is not expected to happen outwith the sessions.

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Writer/Poet Criteria

 

Ability to create a welcoming, safe, and positive environment for sharing of stories and ideas online

Experience of leading non-fiction nature writing/poetry workshops

Experience of leading writing/poetry workshops with people with protected characteristics

Background of eco-poetry/nature writing

 

The ideal candidate lives in Kincardineshire and the Mearns, but could live anywhere in Scotland but would need to be able to be present for the live events. Travel and hotel accommodation will be provided. 

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Mearns and Coastal Healthy Living Network will pay for a disclosure check to be performed.

 

Please email Carrie Fertig by 11pm Sunday 24th March, 2024 deadline for submissions @ carrie@carriefertig.com with:

 

CV

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One chapter non-fiction nature writing or video link up to 5 minutes long or 5 poems

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2 pages A4 max containing:

1. how you would approach these workshops 

2. an idea for a public facing event, in addition to an open mic co-hosted with myself, that considers the themes of the project and the theme of Aberdeenshire Well-being Festival, or Climate Week, or International Day of Older Persons, and the mobility of some of our older participants.

3. your preferred block and availability for the other blocks

4. your experience of working with groups with protected characteristics.

 

Call for entries closes Sunday 11pm 24th March, 2024.

Short-listed candidates will be interviewed via Zoom week of 25th March, 2024.

Contracts awarded 1st April.

 

Carrie Fertig and Mearns and Coastal Healthy Living Network recognise the unique skills of writers/poets working in communities and actively encourage proposals from writers/poets with intersectional lived experiences of isolation, rurality, income inequality or social exclusion of any kind. We particularly welcome proposals from disabled artists, artists of the Global Ethnic Majority, older artists, LGBTQ+ artists and/or refugee/migrant artists. 

 

For further information, contact Carrie Fertig carrie@carriefertig.com

 

Learn more about the project here: https://www.carriefertig.com/health-of-the-sublime-in-the-mearns