About the Scholarship

This is an opportunity during festival weekend to be mentored by the festival Artistic Director and Festival Coordinator(s). During the series of festival events you will meet, work and socialize with the team of festival volunteers as well as the festival stars.

What You Can Expect

Our scholarship student can expect to:

  • learn about the planning and execution of a literary festival
  • have an active role, under the guidance of the Artistic Director and/or the Festival Coordinator(s), at all Main Stage Events, and at other satellite events as agreed
  • have the opportunity to audit festival workshops, if desired
  • attend all festival social events, including the Friday night Performer pot-luck, the Friday and Saturday night post-performance social events as well as the Saturday night Volunteer and Performer dinner
  • assist with Performer orientation and welcome as directed by the Artistic Director and/or Festival Coordinator(s)
  • assist with festival hospitality and front of house duties under the guidance of the Artistic Director and/or Festival Coordinator(s), or designate, to ensure a superior audience experience

Is This For You?

This will be an excellent opportunity if you can say 'yes' to some or all of the following:

  • interested in spoken word and lyric poetry and literature
  • considering a career in arts administration
  • you are an emerging poet
  • wish to develop your public relations skills
  • have a commitment to excellence
  • willing to be flexible and respond to changing priorities
  • want experience working with others in a fast-paced environment

What You Will Receive

In return for all your labours, you will receive:

  • a 'hands-on' immersion into a literary event with a national reputation
  • free entry into all main stage and satellite events (and workshops if space permits)
  • an opportunity to meet with some of Canada's finest literary talents
  • inclusion on the festival website of your photo and bio
  • a small honorarium
  • billeting accommodation, if required

What You Will Give

You will be required to:

  • attend all festival Main Stage events and be on-site Friday evening and all day Saturday and Sunday
  • liaise with the Artistic Director and/or Festival Coordinator(s) in the week prior to festival
  • accept instruction and guidance from the Artistic Director and / or Festival Coordinator(s)
  • submit a one page written report, no later than 30 November, summarizing your experience during festival, which may be included in whole or in part on the festival facebook page and or website
  • provide your own transportation

Interested?

We'd love to hear from you. Please contact us with a two-paragraph 'expression of interest' which states two things: one, where you are enrolled and what your are studying; and, two, what is it about being a Words Aloud Festival scholar that interests you?