In 2006, literature consultant, Sarah Butler, was awarded a Cultural Leadership Bursary from the National Association of Literature Development to explore the role writers can play in the regeneration of the UK's towns and cities. The bursary resulted in A Place For Words: a research/advocacy paper looking at three specific case studies and arguing for more connections to be made between the worlds of literature and regeneration.
Since then Sarah has successfully applied for two Grants for the Arts awards from Arts Council England to continue her research and development work in this area.
In June 2008, UrbanWords launched the A Place For Words Web site, a web resource exploring the role for writing based projects that creatively consult with communities, help to create or uncover a sense of place, and effectively communicate about urban change and renewal.
Sarah Butler has published a series of articles and papers exploring creative writing and regeneration. These are all available as free pdf downloads or audio files from the A Place For Words website.
UrbanWords runs an online forum for discussion and debate about writing and place. Visit Shaping Place to get involved.
Sarah Butler also writes a regular blog about writing and place.
If you are a writer or project manager working in this field, UrbanWords would love to hear from you. Please email Sarah Butler.