Joy Francis explains why the ruckus over women and makeup in a national newspaper missed the point.
Words of Colour newbie Arani Yogadeva has all her senses challenged by a new artist who draws in treacle.
As part of our new series on artistic directors, Andrea Enisuoh lures Femi Elufowoju, jr of Tiata Fahodzi out of rehearsals to talk Africa, touring and partnerships.
Teenage poet and budding journalist Daniel Adjei reveals how negative criticism has spurred him on to greater creativity.
Trainee curator Tara Munroe tries to uncover the history and mystery surrounding the Casta Paintings.
Our competition to win copies of Jackee Holder’s ‘Be your own best life coach’ secured two winners, one aged 12. Find out more about them.
Words of Colour Productions is a new community enterprise established to nurture, train and advise the next generation of writers and journalists particularly from black and minority ethnic communities and marginalised groups.
We aim to engage and inspire in a number of ways from one to one coaching, workshops, online support and motivational and career-focused events. One example is our ‘Get Started’ writing programme with its tailored workshops, careers seminars and online support (see Projects).
In our quest to be interactive we have developed Live Space. Here you’ll find Reviews, a Forum for your news and views, Interviews and Guest Spot to showcase the best of your poems, short stories and articles.
If there is a project or organisation you think we’ve missed in Links, email us at info@wordsofcolour.co.uk
We hope you enjoy your visit and find something worthwhile to read, share, sign up for and engage with.
The Marland Award
A grant of up to £1,000 for a young person (16-21) to positively develop their artistic talent or career is available through the Marland Award 2009. Open to all artforms, applicants must live in the London Borough of Westminster. The bursary is in honour of Westminster Arts’ former Chairman Michael Marland, who was highly committed to the arts and education. Deadline: 29th May 2009. Visit the website, email or call 020 7641 101.
CBBC stories
CBBC are looking for the next generation of children’s TV writers. CBBC are looking for 30-minute original TV scripts for children’s drama for the six-12 age range. A shortlist of 15-20 writers will be invited to a masterclass in July 2009. The final 8-10 shortlisted writers will be selected and spend an intensive residential week developing their work in September/October 2009. The final shortlist will receive CBBC mentoring from the development team and a £300 bursary. Deadline: 5pm, Wednesday 1st July 2009. For more information visit the website.
On location
Film London is running two one-day ‘Working in Locations’ workshops at the end of June. The seminars are aimed at those who are not yet experienced enough to make locations a career, but are interested in finding out more. If you work in the TV, commercial and film industries and want to know more about filming safely and legally on location, these workshops will provide the answers. For more information visit the website.
Call for films
The London African Film Festival and bfm International Film Festival are looking for entries. The London African Film Festival promotes African feature films, shorts, animation and experimental films. The deadline for submissions is 31st July 2009. bfm International Film Festival, the largest and longest running platform for black World Cinema in the UK, is also looking for submissions for its 11th International Film Festival. Submissions close on 29th June at 5pm. Both festivals are supported by Film London’s Audience Development Fund. Visit the Africa at the Pictures website and www.bfmmedia.com.
Broadway hits London
A black Broadway production of Tennessee William’s classic play Cat on a Hot Tin Roof is transferring to the UK this autumn and is recruiting creative production staff – from set design to hair and make up – for its West End run. Debbie Allen (Fame) is director, while James Earl Jones, Phylicia Rashad (The Cosby Show) and our very own Adrian Lester are scheduled to appear. For more information, email.
‘The Diversity in Publishing Network supports Words of Colour’s desire to promote diversity in the field of publishing through encouraging writers from racially and culturally diverse backgrounds to develop their creative skills.’
Elise Dillsworth, Founding Director of Diversity in Publishing