January 2020

Writer in Residence appointed for Poole Museums

Poole Museums, in partnership with ArtfulScribe, is pleased to announce the appointment of Adrian Harris as Writer in Residence for 2020 as part of the DO:Write Literature Development Project.

A writer based in the South West, Adrian is passionate about using literature as a form of empowerment and as a strong instrument for bringing people together to share, voice and celebrate ideas and perspectives. Adrian says: ‘I am excited to start work as the Writer in Residence at Poole Museums, in collaboration with the fantastic work that ArtfulScribe does in supporting writers in creative projects across Dorset and the South of England. I’m looking forward to engaging with the local community and Poole Museum to create some new and innovative work to help bring some of the beautiful exhibits to life for future visitors. Exploring our heritage is an important way of understanding ourselves and the world around us, and I can’t wait to get started on this exciting project.

An impressive candidate from a strong field of applicants, Adrian is the creator and artistic director of Brass Works Theatre, which produced 16 shows in its 90-seat venue between 2012 and 2016, and went on to develop innovative digital projects with the National Lottery Heritage fund about the First and Second World Wars. Adrian has a Masters degree in Screenwriting from Royal Holloway University of London, and trained as an actor at the ALRA drama school. Several of Adrian’s plays have been professionally produced with support from Arts Council England. Adrian was awarded the South Gloucestershire Council Chair’s Community Award and invited to a garden party at Buckingham Palace, attended by the Queen, for services to theatre arts. He continues to act and write in TV, film and theatre in the UK and internationally.

Rachel Martin, Community Curator, Poole Museums says: ‘We’re really excited to have the opportunity to work with a professional writer in Poole Museum and to see how Adrian takes inspiration from our setting and applies this to his work. Adrian has some wonderful ideas and I’m really interested to see how his interactions with visitors, young people and the local community will shape the project.’

ArtfulScribe director, Matt West, says: ‘Adrian comes with a great range of experience working on digital projects, using creative writing in new and unexpected ways. I’m really looking forward to watching how this residency develops and to see how Adrian’s work engages a broader public with Poole Museums’ objects, archives and spaces.

The Writer in Residence will be in post from January until December 2020, and during this time will offer workshops to engage the local community and a wider general public. The residency also includes support for new writing that celebrates the project.

For more information, please email matt@artfulscribe.co.uk or call Matt West on 07588 719891.

Notes to Editor:

DO:Write is a pan-Dorset literature development project that commenced in 2018 led by ArtfulScribe in partnership with Lighthouse, Poole’s Centre for the Arts, Poole Museums, Activate, Arts University Bournemouth, The Lyric Theatre, and other partners.  The project receives generous funding from Arts Council England.