Call Out for Artists and Writers

Writing the Future – Summer at Elizabeth Gaskell’s House

What is the project?

A series of artist and writer-led workshops specifically aimed at local Manchester families during the summer holidays at Elizabeth Gaskell’s House. Families will explore what Elizabeth Gaskell’s House means to them through the creation of their own stories and art.

Who is it?

Elizabeth Gaskell’s House is Manchester’s very own Literary house and museum. A truly hands-on experience about the world of the writer Elizabeth Gaskell and her family with historic period rooms, Victorian style garden, expert guides and changing exhibitions. Described by the press after her death as ‘one of the greatest female novelists of all time’ Elizabeth Gaskellwas born in 1810 and lived at 84 Plymouth Grove in Manchester with her family from 1850 until her death in 1865. She is best known for writing Cranford, North and South and the biography of her friend Charlotte Bronte. The House is now owned and operated by the charity Manchester Historic Buildings Trust. You can find out more here elizabethgaskellhouse.co.uk

During the House’s 10th year restoration anniversary, we are looking at how the House will engage with new and younger audiences as it develops over the next decade. So far, this work has included an inaugural young writers’ residency funded by the National Lottery Heritage Fund running throughout 2025 which is supporting 3 writers aged 18-30. You can find out more about the Writers Residency here https://elizabethgaskellhouse.co.uk/inaugural-writers-residency-annouced/. An exhibition of the writers work will be on display throughout the summer at the house.

The new ‘Writing the future’ project specifically aims to focus on increasing engagement with families and younger visitors to the House longer term. The art and writing workshops will specifically target families from the hyper-local area, who at present do not engage with the House in large numbers.

What is the call out?

We are seeking several artists and writers to deliver a series of 8 drop -in workshops throughout the summer holidays July – August 2025 for families. Through these workshops, children and their grown-ups would be able to respond in their own words or artistic interpretation to; the house and garden, stories from the house and items from the collection. The sessions would be run from the Servants’ Hall and the garden. The sessions would be particularly promoted within Ardwick and Longsight and evaluation will inform future audience development. The artists and writers will be familiar with public engagement and could work in any genre or media suitable for children and families. We anticipate that each writer or artist will run the same 2 sessions on consecutive open days and that we will host different activities each week. We want the sessions to reflect the communities we serve and welcome applications by artists and writers from the global majority.

What do you get out of?

Project budget to include artist day rate £375 per day session including all travel, preparation and delivery, including research visits to the House if required. There would be a separate materials budget up to £50 per day session (with evidence of spend).

When?

The sessions are expected to run Wednesday and Thursdays 11am – 3pm from 30th July 2025 for four weeks until the start of September.

Eligibility?

Artists must be able to deliver workshops onsite at Elizabeth Gaskell’s House in Manchester. See above for details of travel expenses.

Sustainability?

We ask all artists and writers to follow our sustainability policy including:

Ensuring materials purchased are from s sustainable resource (E.g. FSC paper)
Not using single use plastics and/or any specialist equipment that couldn’t be re-used in the future by the House.
Making use of existing equipment and craft supplies before purchasing new and making use of natural objects where possible (e.g. leaves from the garden).

Accessibility?

Elizabeth Gaskell’s House and Garden are accessible for people with prams, wheelchairs or using walking aids. The workshops should be designed to appeal to a wider range of age groups and abilities, including families with SEND (Special Educational Needs and Disabilities) children. Activities should be designed so that children can respond in whatever way they are able, or feel most comfortable. You can find out more about Accessibility here https://elizabethgaskellhouse.co.uk/visit/accessibility/