Courses
Creative Writing Curaçao offers high-level tuition in intensive courses. You will be taught by teachers who all have extensive experience.
Each February and Octobre we offer Creative Writing courses with lots of possibilities to learn new skills.
Our courses are open to beginners as well as more advanced students.
Different Courses
February 2020 we will be offering Creative Writing courses in different classes:
—One class will be taught in Spanish by Ruben Abella and Chiki Fabregat, teachers of Escuela de Escritores from Madrid.
—One class will be taught in Dutch and English, by teachers of Creative Writing at ArtEZ university of the arts in Holland.
— A second level project class will be taught in Dutch by Frank Tazelaar, head of Creative Writing at ArtEZ university of the arts in Holland.
In all three classes you will further develop your writing and storytelling skills through writing exercises, reading text and through working together on a short stories.
Progress in your project
Our Creative Writing courses introduce a number of basic concepts in writing, as ‘show don’t tell’, poetica, chronotope, how to craft a character, narrative tense, and plot structure. The classes will be a combination of theory and writing exercises. You will work during the classes, but you will also need to do homework to really achieve progress in your writing project.
LANGUAGES
All courses allow you to write in your own language:
—Spanish, Papiamentu and English in the course taught in Spanish and English.
—Dutch (Nederlands), Papiamentu, and English in the course taught in English and Dutch.
Multilingual tutors will be in attendance to assist with the discussion of the texts.
LEVELS
The introduction classes will be open to different levels of participants. If you are just beginning to write, you will get less complex writing exercises. If you already have some experience, the writing exercises and guidance will be adjusted to your level.
The second level class is open to former participants or more advanced writers working on a project.
EXTRA CLASSES
Alongside the writing courses, we also offer an interesting lecture that focusses on Caribbean literature and culture. This lecture is taught by experts in the field affiliated by the University of Curacao.
INDIVIDUAL SUPPORT
Each class wil have a maximum of 20 students to allow for personal support and feedback. Lessons will take place between 18.00 and 21.00 hours, with exception of the individual sessions and the masterclasses, these are during the day. There will be one individual session per student in which there is time for individual supervision.
EXTRA ACTIVITIES
The final Friday is concluded with a joint presentation. For this you will be coached in presentation skills.
During the two writing weeks we organize communal activities such as excursions to lesser visited parts of the island, a moonlight walk, a BBQ on the beach and other communal activities.
Teachers
Organization
Dates & Prices
Winter Courses
Summer Courses
Rates
The fee for the Introduction to Creative Writing course is 750 euro/ 850 USD / 1500 ANG
Students: 500 euro / 570 USD / 1000 ANG
Inhabitants of Curaçao, Aruba, Bonaire:
500 euro / 570 USD / 1000 ANG
The fee for the Second Level Project course is: 500 euro / 570 USD / 1000 ANG
The fee covers 10 days of tuition and mentoring. The course will be concluded with a joint presentation and the award of a certificate. You also get a two additional masterclasses on How to use emotions in writing and a free additional lecture on Caribbean literature.
The course is also an opportunity for expanding your network. During joint activities you will get to know both the other course participants and the teachers and representatives of the various organizations involved.
Students with a valid student ID are eligible for a discount. We also offer the option of a staged payment plan. If needed, you can indicate this on the enrolment form.
Scholarship
There is a scholarship of 500 euro available for one participant. This scholarship consists of a discount on the course fee, meaning that you will be responsible for your accommodation and travel expenses, but only have to pay 250 euros for the course. The scholarship will be awarded on the merit of your motivation letter.
Accommodation
You need to make your own travel and accommodation arrangements. We have 20 rooms available at the University Campus for 60,00 NAF/$33,00/€ 28 per night (private room, shared bathroom, meals included!).
If you are interested in one of these rooms, check out the FAQ, and send us an email.
You can also send us an email if you want any suggestions on other accommodation. We can help you find a nice place to stay and help with local transportation. We can also help you connect with other students, to share accommodation and transport.
For more information about local transport, car rental, accommodation and traveling to and on the island check out our F.A.Q.
Apply for selection
COUNT ME IN!
How does it work?
1. Fill in the form on the right to enroll in one of the two courses. Choose between:
- Introduction to Creative Writing Spanish / English by Ruben Abella and Chiki Fabregat
- Introduction to Creative Writing English / Dutch by Frank Tazelaar
- Second Level Project Course English / Dutch by Frank Tazelaar
2. Fill out all the fields of the form, and make sure that you have checked out our F.A.Q. and our general conditions.
3. Continue to the payment section.
4. The deadline for enrolment is January 1st. Only if you have paid the entire fee, your application is definite.
5. Afterwards, you will hear whether or not you have won the scholarship. If so, your payment will be refunded.
DEADLINE enrolment: January 1st.
The maximum number of students per course is 20.
So enroll in time!
Please fill in all required fields, these are marked with an asterisk (*).
FAQ
Courses
What are the hours of the course?
The courses will take place at the University of Curaçao between 18.00 and 21.00 hours. With exception of the individual sessions and the masterclasses, these are during the day.
How much time do I need to reserve for homework?
You need to read texts, and write on your project. You will probably need two or three hours a day for this.
What is the level acquired for participating?
You can participate as a beginner without prior experience in creative writing, but you can also participate if you already have some experience in creative writing. The exercises and guidance will then be adjusted to your level.
Do I need to buy books or any other practical school props?
You need to bring material to write, that can be a laptop or a paper notebook.
What is included?
Included: 8 Classes, 1 individual session, 1 masterclass How to Use emotion in Writing, 1 Capita Selecta masterclass on Caribbean literature, 1 end presentation of the course. Not included: meals, drinks, transportation, accommodation.
Can I write in my own language?
Yes! Both courses allow you to write in your own language:
* Spanish, Papiamentu and English in the course taught in Spanish and English;
* Dutch (Nederlands), Papiamentu and English in the course taught in English and Dutch.
Multilingual tutors will be in attendance to assist with the discussion of the texts.
Activities
Are there any group activities?
Yes! We will have a moonlight walk and BBQ together, and of course we will go to the famous Avila Beach hotel on the last Thursday evening to listen to the music and have diner together.
Accommodation and transportation
Where can I stay and can you help with finding accommodation?
You can book a room on the University. We have 20 rooms available for 60,00 NAF/$33,00/28 euro per night (private room, shared bathroom, meals included!)
If you are interested in one of these rooms talk to:
Monique Warnier. Monique is the coordinator of the Creative Writing Courses. She works at ArtEZ university of the Arts Netherlands, and she speaks English and Dutch.
For questions in Spanish you can mail Lara Coto from Escuela de Escritores Madrid.
Or mail Joeri Oltheten, our tutor living on the island. Language no problem: Joeri speaks English, Spanish, Dutch and Papiamentu, all fluently!
Other accommodation you can find through this website https://www.curacao.com/ On this official website you will find all the information you need about the Island, it’s accommodation, and it’s events. Especially check the F.A.Q section, it’s really insightful. https://www.curacao.com/en/faq/
Do I need to rent a car or is public transportation sufficient?
We advise you to rent a car. If you really want to experience the island, and explore the island in your own time, a car is a necessity.
Do I need to have an insurance?
Yes, participants traveling to Curaçao from abroad need to have a travel insurance, and be sure to check whether it also covers health and repatriation, so you can get home in case of an emergency.
Other accomodation tips
https://www.poppyhostelcuracao.com/ - located in Otrobanda.
budget hostel with shared facilities starts at € 20 per night.
https://www.firstcuracaohostel.com/en/ - located in Scharloo.
Nice location, modern hostel with dorms - starts at € 20 per night.
http://bed-breakfast-la-creole-hostel-la-creole.business.site/ - locaterd at Berg Altena
Bed & breakfast, not to close to the University though (takes about 15/20 minutes) – starts at €30 per night.
http://rian-appartementen.com/en/home - located in Julianadorp.
Small appartments, starts at € 30 per night.
https://www.willemstad-resort.com/ - located in Otrobanda,
No nonsense resort, also has a car rental services.
Rooms start at € 30 per night.
http://dan-sher-apartments.all-hotels-in-curacao.com - located in Souax.
Between the airport and the University starts at € 30 per night.
http://www.annidas.com/ located in Julianadorp.
Starts at € 55 per night.
https://www.kasdiala.com/curacao/ located in Julianadorp
Starts at € 80 per night.
Contact
For more information email:
ArtEZ Creative Writing
Onderlangs 9, 6812 CE Arnhem
m.warnier@artez.nl
Wintertuin Curaçao
Steenkoolweg 16, Willemstad Curaçao joeri@wintertuin.nl
Escuela des Ecritores
Covarrubias, 1 (Bajo Dcha), Madrid lara@escueladeescritores.com