IN tribute to the lifelong passion, commitment, wisdom and support shown by Dr. Gavin Wallace for Scotland’s literary community, Creative Scotland and the Association for Scottish Literary Studies (ASLS) announce today details of the inaugural Dr. Gavin Wallace Fellowship.
The annual Fellowship has been created to enable a writer to take time out of their usual environment to embark upon a year-long literary adventure to develop their practice.
Details of the first Fellowship, to be hosted by the Association for Scottish Literary Studies, will be announced in March 2013.
In subsequent years, the fellowship will be hosted by an organisation which will be selected through an open application process.
Iain Munro, director of creative development at Creative Scotland, said: “A man of grace and intellect, Gavin was dedicated to the health of literature in Scotland. We are deeply saddened by his passing but, with the blessing of his family, we are honoured to carry on his name through this fellowship.
“Gavin had a close relationship with Scottish Literature at the University of Glasgow, especially amongst the faculty many of whom were lifelong friends. It is fitting, therefore, that the ASLS, will host the inaugural Dr. Gavin Wallace Fellowship.”
Dr. Gavin Wallace was a central figure in Scotland’s literature world for many years. Gavin joined the Scottish Arts Council in August 1997 as literature officer and later moved on to become the head of literature, a position he held for eight years before being appointed as portfolio manager for literature, publishing and language at Creative Scotland in June 2010.
Gavin previously worked as a teacher, lecturer, critic, journalist, editor and broadcaster, and was an Associate Lecturer in Literature and the Humanities at the Open University in Scotland from 1991-2001.
He carried out graduate and postgraduate study, in English and Scottish Literature, at the University of Edinburgh.
Prof. Ian Brown, president of the Association for Scottish Literary Studies, said: “Dr. Gavin Wallace was not just an outstanding director of literature for the Scottish Arts Council and Creative Scotland, but a man whose love of good writing shone through.
“He was not just an officer in a funding body to the writers of Scotland, but a friend, a source of wisdom and support and one whose wry humour carried many of us through tough times.
“The ASLS as the international lead organisation for the study and celebration of Scottish literature worldwide is delighted to be able to welcome the first Dr. Gavin Wallace Fellow to work with us over the next year.”
ENDS
Notes to Editors
- For more information about Dr. Gavin Wallace, please visit: http://www.creativescotland.org.uk/news/dr-gavin-wallace
- Creative Scotland is the national development agency for the arts, screen and creative industries. www.creativescotland.com
- Founded in 1970, the Association for Scottish Literary Studies is an educational charity that aims to promote the study, teaching and writing of Scottish literature, and to further the study of the languages of Scotland. www.arts.gla.ac.uk/scotlit/asls
- Details of how to apply to the Fellowship will be announced in March 2013
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