The Lowry Creative Writing Challenge
The Lowry Creative Writing Challenge is a competition for children.
Categories include:
Poetry including spoken word, limericks & rap.
Script/Play text including solo or group performance, plays for stage & radio.
Short Story including fiction & short stories
This challenge showcases the amazing talent that Greater Manchester has to offer and we look forward to seeing this year’s finalists on our Quays Theatre Stage.
Who is it for?
Open to children aged 7-11 living in Greater Manchester.
We aim for the challenge to be accessible for all and will accept entries in a variety of formats.
If you have any specific questions about access needs please contact getcreative@thelowry.com . Please do not submit more than one entry per child per category.
How to Enter
We can accept entries online below or via the post and these can be written, typed, audio files and videos. The Lowry will be unable to return or keep submissions so please keep your own copy on entering.
By entering, you agree for the entry to be used in any associated publicity by The Lowry. An adult can enter online for the participant.
Deadline: 12pm – 26th April 2024
Judges: Exciting news about the judges to be announced here soon!
HOW TO ENTER
Option Two: Enter via Post
If entering by post send your entry to:
The Lowry Creative Writing Challenge,
The Lowry,
Pier 8,
Salford Quays,
M50 3AZ
Please enclose a note with the following information:
Name and age of child, Title of work, Address of child, Name of teacher, parent, carer, or guardian sending the work, Name of school or if home educated, Contact telephone number, Contact email address
Option Three: Teachers
If you are a teacher submitting to the challenge please contact getcreative@thelowry.com if you have more than 5 entries that you would like to submit.
What you can win
There will be a 1st and 2nd place winner of each category; Poetry, Short Story and Script
There will also be a winner selected by a panel of children and a winner of The Founders Prize which is selected by Beryl Jones; the founder of The Creative Writing Challenge.
Shortlisted children will also receive feedback from a professional judging panel.
1st place winners will receive:
A £60 book token
An creative illustration of their writing by a professional artist
2nd place winners receive:
A £30 book token
Runners-up will receive:
A £15 book token
What happens Next
After the completion deadline we will have a two round judging process. Successful entrants will be contacted on 20th May 2024 and invited to a celebration event at The Lowry on 10th June 2024. Rehearsals will take place for this event the week commencing 3rd June at The Lowry.
Creative Writing Challenge Celebration Event
The Lowry Creative Writing Challenge will have a celebration event on the 10th June 2024 in The Quays Theatre at The Lowry to celebrate the amazing work created by the shortlisted children from across Greater Manchester. Families, friends and teachers will be invited to share this special evening and watch the children perform live on stage.
Children will work with a team of our specialist facilitators that regularly work with children to ensure they have developed their confidence and performance skills to get them ready for the event. Children will be fully supported throughout.
Children will be either perform their work themselves or their work can be performed on their behalf.
Who supports The Creative Writing Challenge?
The competition has been made possible thanks to the generous support of Beryl Jones, who along with her husband Trevor is a Gold Patron of The Lowry.
Mike Leyland – National Literacy Trust
‘We are delighted to partner with the Lowry on the Creative Writing Challenge. We know from our own research that writing helps children to express themselves with 1 in 2 children saying they write to be creative. We hope this exciting competition will inspire children across Salford with their writing and reading, supporting them to develop the literacy skills they need to succeed in life.’
If you need any further help or information please email getcreative@thelowry.com
Learning Resources
Year 4
Year 5
Year 6
The Lowry offers creative writing workshops with literacy professionals from poets, storytellers, script writers and more. If you would like to book a workshop for your class please contact getcreative@thelowry.com for further information or visit our Creative Learning page.