New partnership between Sizewell C and Lowestoft’s First Light Festival CIC to explore area’s history through art

A new partnership between a power station and an arts festival will seek to explore its area’s history through art, writing and poetry.

Sizewell Creative has teamed up with First Light Festival for a three-year programme of creative residencies at Sizewell.

The project, which begins in November, will invite artists from across the region to engage with the Sizewell C project.

It is hoped the programme will explore the ‘largely-undocumented’ part of the area’s heritage and history, looking back to the roots of nuclear power in Sizewell in the 1950s and forwards to the 2030s.

Julia Pyke, joint managing director of Sizewell C, said: “We’re thrilled to be working with the wonderful First Light Festival CIC to deliver the programme over the next three years.

“These residencies will provide a fantastic opportunity for local artists and writers to explore the history and heritage of this area – we can’t wait to see the results.”

The first residency for visual art will run from November 2024 to October 2025.

The selected artist will receive £4,000 plus materials and travel expenses, and will also have use of a workspace on the Sizewell estate.

Genevieve Christie, chief executive of First Light Festival CIC, said: “Visual art, writing and poetry all help us to see the world in different ways.

“We hope that these residencies will create a valuable connection between artistes and Sizewell C – to ask questions, explore and share ideas.”

Artists working in a range of visual art fields who live or work in the East of England are invited to apply here.

Interested artists should submit their application online, including a short bio, a project proposal, a CV, and links to a digital portfolio.

The deadline for applications is September 27, and applicants must be over 18 years old.