NUS USP-TAH Creative Writing Residency 2011 Recipient Jay Bernard
19 Oct 2011 - Young poet Jay Bernard has been appointed the first recipient of the Creative Writing Residency jointly administered by the National University of Singapore University Scholars Programme (NUS USP) and The Arts House (TAH).
London-born and Oxford-educated Jay is a writer, poet and graphic artist, who has published a volume of poetry, short stories, comic strips, and graphic reviews. She has been an editor, mentor and a writer-in-residence across the UK, including being appointed the 2011 Artist-in-Residence at the Stanza Poetry Festival in St. Andrews, Scotland, as well as a former official observer for the board of the Poetry Archive. Jay’s other credits include being on the current UK Poetry Society’s premium list of young, up-and-coming poets, and a judge for writing and poetry competitions such as the Roundhouse Slam and the Lambeth Young Writers Competition. Jay was chosen from among applicants from 12 countries, including Singapore, the United Kingdom, Nigeria, and the Philippines.
“The residency, which started in 2004 as the NUS Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences and The Arts House Writing Fellowship, was initially only open to Singaporean writers. This year we decided to open it up to the rest of the world as we felt Singapore is ready to be an international hub for writing and writers,” says Mr. William Phuan, Director of Programmes and Marketing at The Arts House. “The Arts House and the NUS USP are natural partners to incubate this residency because the former has an outreach for established and emerging Singaporean writers, while the latter is a launch pad for youthful, creative talent and ideas. So both audiences stand to gain with Jay’s residency,” he adds.
The previous two recipients of the Writing Fellowship were well-known theatre practitioners Huzir Sulaiman (2005) and Kaylene Tan (2007).
Professor Philip Holden, one of the selection committee members says, “Jay will bring a new voice to the USP and the wider writing community in Singapore. We’re hoping that her collaboration with students and members of the public will be mutually beneficial, allowing her to influence the development of other writers, and also to continue to develop as an artist.”
“The NUS USP-TAH Creative Writing Residency has two aims,” adds Professor John Richardson, Director of University Scholars Programme. “We think it will add to the buzz about writing in NUS and Singapore more generally. And we want to give a young writer of great talent the chance to produce something substantial and worthwhile. We hope to be able to sustain this scheme in future years.”
Mr. Phan Ming Yen, Assistant General Manager of The Arts House says, “The residency is certainly very much in line with The Arts House’s mission as a multi-disciplinary arts centre with an apropos focus on the literary arts. More importantly, with this new international element of the residency, Singaporean writers, both established and emerging will have yet another avenue to build networks beyond our shores, networks that in turn could lead to new, global platforms and audiences for Singaporean writing.”
Housed in the Cinnamon College, which is a residential college that is home to the USP, in NUS University Town, Jay will run workshops and a regular drop-in writer’s clinic for USP students. Additionally, Jay will also be doing public readings and workshops at The Arts House at the Old Parliament Building during her one-year residency. The residency will last until July 2012, during which time Jay will also be expected to create a new work in English and to conduct public programmes involving young writing talents.
Jay is excited about the opportunity to help foster a vibrant culture of writing in Singapore. “The really attractive element of this residency is that it is inherently collaborative. NUS and The Arts House are working together to make it happen,” she says.
For more information on the Creative Writing Residency, please log on towww.usp.nus.edu.sg/happenings/2011/creative_writing_residency.html orwww.theartshouse.com.sg/creativewritingresidency
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Contact Persons:
NUS USP
Ms Ng Yun Sian
Associate Director, Corporate Communications
University Scholars Programme, NUS
Tel: (65) 6516 4076
Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
The Arts House
Ms Janice Zhang
Executive, Marketing & Communications
The Arts House (managed by The Old Parliament House Limited)
Tel: (65) 6332 6903
Email:janice_zhang @toph.com.sg
About NUS USP
The University Scholars Programme (USP) is an interdisciplinary academic programme for NUS undergraduates, offering the freedom to explore across disciplines, a wide range of extracurricular and overseas opportunities, and a close community of exceptionally motivated and talented students in a residential college. The aim is to produce graduates with the intellectual rigour, initiative, and innovative spirit to make significant contributions to society.
To this end, we provide an environment for exploration, collaboration, and creative discovery. Our unique modules are designed to develop interdisciplinary thinking. Learning extends beyond the classroom through a wide range of research, internship, community involvement, and study abroad opportunities. Perhaps most important of all, our students learn from each other by working and discussing together in a host of different settings.
About The Arts House
Occupying the almost 200-year-old building that was Singapore’s first Parliament House, The Arts House since its opening in 2004 has been offering its visitors a broad spectrum of activities ranging from contemporary arts and entertainment events to lifestyle options, while playing an active role in the Singapore arts and creative scene.
From 2011, The Arts House will focus on the development of Literary Arts in Singapore as it continues to support and present programmes and events that aim to give a wider and multi-disciplinary experience. The Arts House is managed by The Old Parliament House Ltd.
