Join the artists’ union for 3-day residential writing workshop at Cove Park delivered by acclaimed novelist Nicola White. Learn approaches and methods to find a language to support and represent your practice beyond a simple ‘how to write an artist statement’ or ‘how to write a funding application’. The workshops will explore different strategies to be able to adapt and construct different forms of effective language and communication, learn how to write about your practice more succinctly, confidently and imaginatively, capture the reader's attention and remain creative.

Nicola White is a writer and sometime curator and documentary maker. Her novel In the Rosary Garden won the Dundee International Book Prize and her short fiction has been widely published and broadcast on Radio 4. She often collaborates with visual artists and arts organisation, contributing texts to a range of publications, including longform essays with The Dublin Review. She won the Scottish Book Trust New Writer Award in 2008 and in 2012 was Leverhulme Writer in Residence at Edinburgh University. She now lives in Cromarty. Her second novel A Famished Heart will be published in 2020 by Serpent’s Tail.

Who is this for?

Open and suitable to all of our members (Graduate, Artist and Associate) who have ever stared at a blank page or screen, who require support and guidance in writing and speaking about their work, are required to adapt the way they communicate to different audiences and for different outcomes, or have struggled to effectively stay within a word-count without losing content or meaning. This course is perfect for artists who struggle with the idea that they are the foremost authority on their art and can speak about it better than anyone else.

Do I have to attend all 3 days?

Yes, it is compulsory that you are able to commit to all 3 workshop days Friday 1-5pm, Saturday 10am-5pm and Sunday 10am-1pm including the two overnight stays at Cove Park on the Friday and Saturday nights.

Why should I come?

Develop a personal artistic vocabulary in collaboration with other practitioners and leave feeling that writing about your work is a compelling activity, not a chore. This residential weekend offers members the chance to escape busy schedules and experience the peace, tranquillity and productiveness of this beautiful location. We aim to create a relaxed and social atmosphere with workshops, walks and meals together. The course will include in-depth training, presentations and open discussion. There is lots of space to work, go for walk and a large communal kitchen where members can retreat for coffee breaks and snacks throughout the day.

Sounds great, how do I sign up?

Spaces are limited to 10 people and places will be allocated on a first-come-first-serve basis. In the event that the accommodation on site is oversubscribed, we will allocate one place to one member from different regions. For example, one place from Glasgow, one from Edinburgh, one from Dundee etc. Regional spaces will be allocated on a first-come-first-serve basis. Please get in touch if you are local to the area, as we can allocate a few extra spaces to those who don’t have a long commute and wouldn’t need an overnight stay at Cove.

RSVP via the event page here.
Spaces are limited and places will be allocated on a first-come-first-serve basis.