OneRen | Paisley Book Festival seeks a programmer to support the delivery of the Paisley Book Festival in February 2023 with an option to continue to 2024.

The Festival is now entering its fourth year having quickly established itself as a key event in Scotland and the UK’s literary calendar. The core programme has developed a reputation as a platform for radical voices and rebellious writers, an opportunity for audiences to engage with a diverse array of ideas and discourse. It seeks to remain socially engaged and responsive to the times we live in.

The Programmer will work closely with OneRen’s Arts and Libraries teams to support the core programme, a school’s programme, the Writer in Residence, a community outreach and engagement programme, a volunteer programme and the Janet Coats Memorial Prize for Poetry.

The dates for Paisley Book Festival 2023 will be the 16th to the 25th February.

We are looking for a creative and inspiring individual (or collective) to programme the Paisley Book Festival. The programmer should have experience of book festival programming and a clear understanding of how the word, in all its forms, can make a difference. They should be able to demonstrate experience and knowledge of how important books and book related events are in bringing communities together, making connections, developing learning and improving well-being. At the same time, they should understand the commercial potential of book festivals and help lay the foundations for its financial sustainability.

Our previous Programmer, Jess Orr, had this to say about being involved in the Festival since its inception in 2020:

‘I have absolutely loved being part of the Paisley Book Festival team during its inaugural three years, watching it grow into a highly anticipated event in Scotland’s literary calendar. Having the creative freedom to envisage a programme that showcases the best of Scottish writing, as well as working closely with guest curators, writers in residence and the local community has been a real honour. I can’t wait to see what the festival does next and hope that I can continue to support its activity in any way I can’

We are sad to see Jess go but are delighted for her and the new opportunity she has been offered and wish her all the best in her endeavours.

The Festival is core funded by Renfrewshire Council through the Future Paisley Programme in 2023 and 2024. An application to Creative Scotland is currently being assessed. The details above are contingent upon the Festival achieving full funding for 2023. At this stage we are inviting expressions of interest in the role through an introductory email and CV. Budgets and the scope of the role may be adjusted accordingly depending on the funds available. We expect to know with certainty by mid-July, at which point, potential candidates who have expressed interest in the role will be invited to participate in the official application process.

The Programmer fee is fixed at £11,000. The funding dependent adjustments will take place against other areas of the Festival budget.

To receive a full role brief, to express your interest and to start a conversation with us please email [email protected] with PBF Programmer in the subject line.