Creator-in-Residence Program Launched
Convocation and the UWA Library have joined forces to launch an exciting new Creator-in-Residence Program, set to transform the iconic Reid Library into a vibrant hub of creativity and discovery.
This initiative aims to spotlight the Library's remarkable special collections, inviting artists, writers, and performers to breathe new life into rare manuscripts and historic spaces.
Unlocking the secrets of rare manuscripts
At the heart of this program lies the Library's treasure trove of rare manuscripts – collections brimming with letters, diaries, personal papers, and unpublished works.
These documents – some centuries old – are rich with untold stories and intricate details waiting to be rediscovered.
The Creator-in-Residence will have the unique opportunity to interpret these materials through visual storytelling, exhibitions, performances, lectures, or immersive installations.
The Melville Papers: a window into the past
One standout among these collections is the Melville Papers, a fascinating archive of more than 2,000 pages chronicling the East India Company's activities in 18th-century India. The documents cover everything from commerce and trade to shipbuilding and the procurement of rare materials. Among the collection's gems is a letter dated December 31, 1786, addressed to Henry Dundas, first Viscount Melville, detailing a dramatic mutiny aboard the Royal Admiral Gravesend.
We cannot help particularly mentioning the Hanoverian Cook - he having been particularly active in two former affrays with the large Iron Ladle and Beef Forks - he is an amazing Stout Man, and in this matter was very active with a large Iron Crow…
Such vivid accounts offer a tantalizing glimpse into the past, providing fertile ground for creative interpretation. The Creator-in-Residence will be encouraged to draw inspiration from these stories, reimagining them for contemporary audiences and ensuring that the library's hidden histories are brought to life in bold, innovative ways.
Donations to support the Creator-in-Residence Program are tax-deductible and those of $1,000 or more will be recognised by including your name on a commemorative shelf of the Reid Library's new Reading Wall. Only 100 named shelf opportunities are available.
For more information, please contact the Warden. Your donations can be made here.