Artist residency

An award-winning writer will be spreading the word about words over the next 12 months as part of a new residency with Plymouth City Council Arts Unit.

Hannah Silva, who was described by the Times as 'one of the most ambitious and entertaining poets in the country' has been appointed the unit's first writer in residence.

The position is unpaid but will enable Hannah to access archives and research material for her work in the city as well as raise the profile of poetry and the spoken word in schools, colleges and the wider community.

Hannah, who has performed all over Europe, also teaches creative writing in Plymouth with Adult Learning, and playwriting with the Theatre Royal's People Company.

Cabinet Member for Community Services, Councillor Peter Brookshaw said: "Hannah has built up an international reputation and we're delighted to have her as a writer in residence.

"Plymouth already has a strong reputation for theatre and is beginning to make inroads into encouraging home-grown talent to stay here. Plymouth wants to be vibrant waterfront city and without culture, this cannot happen."

Hannah said: "It's really important for local writers and artists to be supported by the place they live, and I hope this role will help to raise the profile of all those involved in writing in the city, and encourage Plymouth residents to continue - or to start - reading, writing and watching live literature."

"I've seen people come to my classes as complete beginners who are now on MA courses in creative writing at the University of Plymouth, which is incredibly inspiring. It's really exciting to see people of all ages explore language and have fun with words."

Hannah is this week performing and talking about her practice at the museum as part of International Women's Week 2011. She will be discussing her particular approach to language, sound and words in performance.