Chelmsford City Council is seeking a local poet or spoken word artist to work collaboratively on a brand-new video showcasing the city of Chelmsford.

The paid commission offers a local creative the opportunity to write a poem about Chelmsford – the authentic Chelmsford of 2024, with all its quirks and character included. The successful artist will then work with a filmmaker to bring their vision to life in a new video celebrating the city’s heritage, people, events and businesses.

The Video

Every few years Chelmsford City Council makes a video about the district. Its aim is to help secure investment in Chelmsford, share the story of the city with people who don’t know much about it and to remind those of us that do, to be proud of where we live. It’s intended to reveal Chelmsford’s innovative qualities, its aspiration and its dynamism.

Their last film was shot back in 2018, and a lot has happened since then. Six years ago, Riverside Leisure Centre was still under construction, Chelmsford Museum had closed for its revamp and RiZE was the next big thing at Hylands Estate. In 2018, Chelmsford was still leaning in to being the first and only city in Essex, with exciting changes to the city centre and our very own version of Bond Street.

We’re in a new phase of our young city’s life now, and collectively, we’re no less proud of our busy High Street and beautiful green spaces, but it’s time for a video refresh. Our city centre has been transformed by murals thanks to Concrete Canvas, our ambitious universities have joined together to become a new higher education powerhouse and the district’s second railway station opens next year.

A new chapter; a new approach

This time around, the council is taking a different approach to telling our story. In the past, they’ve produced this sort of film, first and foremost, as a promotional tool for the district. They believe selling what Chelmsford has to offer is important, but, as an older new city, they feel we are a bit happier in our own skin and this confidence in our trajectory has led them to think about how they might commission their next film in a new way.

Images (from left to right): Children & Authors’ Literary Fanfare Events (CALFE), Sounds Good Festival / ©Jonathan Dadds, Summerballoo in Tindal Square / ©Chris Cook/Chelmsford City Council

Told by people – through the voice of a poet.

They’d love their new film to be scripted by a local poet or spoken word artist. They want to find someone who has a real fondness for Chelmsford and is able tell the story of where we are now: to give voice to our places and people, past and present. Naturally, place-making films show their subjects in a beautiful light. Of course, they want Chelmsford’s best qualities to shine, but they also want you to tell them what they are: an honest version of our city with a genuine affection for all of its quirks and character rather than an airbrushed version of perfection.

Using this poem about Chelmsford, they’ll then move on to the next stage of the project and commission a filmmaker to work with the chosen poet or spoken word artist to turn these words into a video. Ideally, they’d like people from our communities to feature in the final film, lending their voices as the narrators for your words.

At a time when investment in the arts isn’t always easy to come by, the council want the funding for this project to work as hard as possible, so that they’re supporting our creative industries as well as promoting our city. There’s an emerging poetry scene in the district that they would love to nurture. They know how hard it can be to make it as a poet or spoken word artist, and hope this commission will provide some financial support and a platform for a local artist to reach the next level in their career.

The Commission: Phase 1

Value: Up to £2,000

Timeline: 
Call for Submissions: October 30th – November 24th
Shortlist Announcement: November 28th
Judging Panel Event: December 5th, 4pm – 5pm at Hotbox

We are looking for:

— An established or emerging poet or spoken word artist with a demonstrable connection to Chelmsford
— Ability to craft compelling written or spoken word poetry
— A collaborative spirit and a passion for capturing the essence of Chelmsford in verse

The chosen poet or spoken word artist will collaborate closely with a filmmaker to bring their words to life on screen, playing a key role in shaping the project’s next phase. The commission is worth up to £2,000, with the majority allocated to research, writing, and community engagement. The remaining portion supports collaboration and promotion. The exact split will be finalised with the successful candidate.

Chelmsford Railway Station ©Jennifer Fage/Chelmsford City Council; Tindal Square Summerballoo ©Chris Cook/Chelmsford City Council; and Concrete Canvas 2024

How to apply

Ready to share your poetic vision for Chelmsford? Submit your application via the online form by midnight on November 24, 2024.

Important Notes:
— They are not asking you to write the full poem at this stage. This is your chance to showcase your talent and passion for Chelmsford and outline some of your ideas for the project.
—  If you would welcome a ten-minute conversation about the commission before making your submission, please email ku.vog.drofsmlehc@erutluc. Please note, this is not a requirement and will not influence the decision on who to appoint.

The judging process

There will be a maximum of four shortlisted poets or spoken word artists. Shortlisted candidates will be notified on 28 November and invited to attend a judging panel event as detailed below

Date: December 5, 2024
Time: 4pm – 5pm
Location: Hotbox

A panel of judges will review the applications and shortlist up to four candidates. If shortlisted, you will be invited to a judging panel event where you will have a ten-minute slot to:
— Engage in an informal conversation with the panel
— Present a chosen piece from your submitted work (five minutes maximum)

The judging panel includes Chelmsford Theatre Director, Rhys Thomas; Director of the Essex Book Festival, Ros Green; and an established poet.

Important Notes:
— If shortlisted, you will receive an information pack to help you prepare.
— They can be flexible to accommodate access needs.
— If you prefer not to perform your own work, you’re welcome to invite someone to read on your behalf or the council can provide a performer. They will arrange a suitable time for you to meet them ahead of the session to talk through your chose piece and how you’d like it performed.
— This is a collaborative project. They envision the final film to be around three minutes long, with the poem comfortably fitting within that duration (ideally no more than 400-500 words). They encourage creative ideas and community involvement.
— Deadline for the completed poem will be Friday 31 January 2025
— The finished film will be screened at Essex Book Festival in June 2025