Translation Lab 2026

Art Omi: Writers is now seeking proposals for Translation Lab 2026, a 12-day special, intensive residency for five collaborating writer-translator teams in the fall of 2026. 

Art Omi will host five translators of any language INTO English, along with the writers whose work is being translated, in New York's Hudson Valley for 12 days. All text-based projects—fiction, creative nonfiction, theater, film, poetry, etc.—are eligible. 

This focused residency will provide an integral stage of refinement, allowing translators to dialogue with the writers about text-specific questions. It will also serve as an essential community-builder for English-language translators who are working to increase the amount of international literature available to English-language readers. 

The dates for Translation Lab 2026 are September 9-21, 2026. Art Omi provides airfare, local car transportation, and a small honorarium. Residents accepted into Translation Lab are responsible for their own train transportation from New York City to the Art Omi campus. Please note: accepted applicants must be available for the duration of the Translation Lab. Late arrivals and early departures are NOT possible. Please do not submit a proposal unless both parties involved (translator and writer) are available for all dates. Please also ensure both parties are eligible to travel to the United States at the time of the application.

Art Omi will be accepting applications for participation until March 20, 2026. Translators, writers, editors, and agents can submit an application.

Each application must include a Project Proposal and a Work Sample.

1. The Project Proposal should be no more than three pages and provide the following information:

- Names of the translator and writer applying, as well as contact information (physical address, email, and phone number) and the original language of the text. These details should be provided at the very top of the proposal.  

- Brief biographical sketches for the translator and writer.

- A description of the proposed project, including details about how you envision structuring your working time together.

- Publishing status of the proposed project. (Projects that do not yet have a publisher are eligible.)

2. The Work Sample must be 10-15 pages (12 pt font, double-spaced) of an English translation by the translator applying. It is preferred that the sample be from the proposed project; however, if this is not possible, please provide another translation work sample.

Candidates will be notified in May 2026. Thank you for your interest in Art Omi's Translation Lab!