Arvon Foundation

The Arvon Foundation is a charitable organisation in the United Kingdom which promotes creative writing. It is based in the Free Word Centre for literature, literacy and free expression in London.

History
It was founded by two young poets, John Fairfax and John Moat, in 1968.

The Arvon Foundation runs residential creative writing courses at centres in four locations: Devon, Shropshire, Yorkshire, and Inverness-shire. The courses provide an inspirational space and dedicated time to practice the art of writing.

The Chief Executive is Ruth Borthwick and the Council of Management is chaired by Nigel Pantling and consists of Patience Agbabi, Nii Ayikwei Parkes, Kate Donaghy, Marion Gibbs C.B.E Robert Hingley, Sir Andrew Cahn KCMG, David Kelleher, Rachel Lewis, Keith Pybus, Michael Symmons Roberts, Simon Trewin, Virginia Wedgwood

Previous tutors include Willy Russell, Ian McEwan, Andrew Motion, Arnold Wesker, Ted Hughes, Ali Smith, Carol Ann Duffy, Ian Rankin, George Szirtes and Will Self.

Arvon also runs residential creative writing courses for under-18s and partnership organisations. Arvon fundraises to ensure that those people who could not afford the full course fee can attend the course.

Competition
The Arvon Foundation runs the biennial Arvon International Poetry Competition which was first judged in 1980 by Ted Hughes, Charles Causley, Seamus Heaney and Philip Larkin. In 2010 the judges were Carol Ann Duffy, Elaine Feinstein and Sudeep Sen.