Arvon Launches Transformative Arvon North Programme to Elevate Local Creativity

Going beyond  Arvon’s traditional residential courses, Arvon North will work in the heart of northern communities, capturing  the diverse stories of the region’s residents and providing a platform for their creativity. Central to this initiative is the inaugural Arvon Festival of Writing, an annual celebration of the written and spoken word which is one of the key commissions for Calderdale’s Year of Culture 2024.

Arvon Festival of Writing

At the heart of the Arvon North programme is the Festival of Writing, set to take place from Thursday 30 May – Sunday 2 July 2024. The festival will feature high-profile and emerging Yorkshire writers leading a diverse range of creative writing activities, . It will encompass exhibitions, a poetry night, Writing Days, a Family Writing Festival, and captivating performances, all aimed to empower individuals, fostering confidence, and promoting well-being.

Wrapped around our Festival weekend, through the Spring and into the Autumn is an ambitious creative writing outreach programme co-created with schools, community groups and partners across the whole of Calderdale.

Fostering Inclusivity and Creative Expression

Born out of the redevelopment project at Lumb Bank – a initiative that aims to future-proof one of the country’s most inspiring writing houses— Arvon North aims to foster an inclusive, and supportive environment that empowers individuals to share and shape their personal narratives through creative writing. The programme is driven by a commitment to amplify excluded and underrepresented voices, encompassing working-class individuals, writers of colour, young people, members of the LGBTQI+ community, and more isolated residents – young and old.

 
Community-Centric Approach

Arvon North’s impact will continue as a key programme strand when Lumb Bank reopens in 2025. During its redevelopment, Arvon has partnered with IOU Hostel to bring our residential experiences and live events to a brand-new setting. Hebden Bridge has been thriving since the 1970s when a large influx of creative people migrated there to live, work, write and create. The town’s rich artistic history makes it an exciting space for Arvon participants to immerse themselves in an inspiring environment. Residential Writing Weeks at IOU Hostel include exclusive use of its 14 bedrooms with workshop, tutorial and writing spaces in a magical woodland backdrop at the heart of one of Yorkshire’s most inspiring towns.

About Arvon:

For over 50 years, Arvon’s residential creative writing courses have been linking successful authors with aspiring writers, and they are a significant and celebrated part of the British literary landscape. About a third of the residential weeks are with schools, young people, and community groups.

The charity runs writing houses in Shropshire, Devon, and Yorkshire, as well as an online programme,  Arvon at home

 
To stay up to date with the latest developments, follow us on Instagram and Twitter.