February 18, 2025—Vermont Studio Center (VSC) and the American Literary Translators Association (ALTA) announced a call for applications to the ALTA Fellowships at VSC. Through this partnership, which is entering its second year, VSC will annually provide two fully funded two-week residencies to current members of ALTA. “Over the years VSC’s Writing Program has supported literary translation and hosted many translators,” said Sarah Audsley, VSC Writing Program Director, “This partnership will continue this tradition by welcoming and supporting translators and their projects.” 

The ALTA Fellowships at VSC will provide one fellowship for a BIPOC translator who identifies as queer, woman, non-binary, LGBTQ+. The second fellowship will be offered to a mid-career translator, defined as: a translator who has published three or more full-length translations. Translators working in any genre and from any language into English are eligible. “To be transported by a literary translation is only possible with exceptional translators who are experts in their craft,” said Sean Gasper Bye, Interim Executive Director of ALTA, “and it‘s opportunities like these that help translators develop that level of virtuosity.” “ALTA is thrilled to build on the partnership created with VSC in 2024, to provide well-deserved recognition and support to two valued sections of our membership,” said ALTA Program Director, Kelsi Vanada.

The American Literary Translators Association is a nonprofit arts membership association that provides programs and professional affiliation to the literary translation community. The organization was founded in 1978 to bridge cultural communication and understanding among countries and languages through the art and craft of literary translation. 

The ALTA Fellowships at VSC will be awarded in April 2025 for residencies in 2026. The residencies will be held in two two-week blocks: late March to early April 2026, and late August to early September 2026. The deadline to apply for these Fellowships is March 31, 2025. 

The final juror is ALTA Board member Curtis Bauer. He is the author of three poetry collections, most recently American Selfie (Barrow Street Press, 2019). He is also a translator of poetry and prose from the Spanish; his publications include Home Reading Service and Mothers and Dogs by Fabio Morábito (Other Press, 2021 & 2023), Land of Women by María Sánchez (Trinity University Press, 2022) and This Could Take Some Time by Clara Muschietti (Eulalia Books, 2022). He is International Advisory Editor for Vaso Roto Ediciones (Mexico & Spain). He teaches Creative Writing and Comparative Literature at Texas Tech University in Lubbock, Texas.

VSC is currently accepting applications and provides fully funded fellowships to 35% of residents, with the goal of growing to 60% fully funded residents over the next five years. Executive Director, Hope Sullivan stated, “Partnerships like this support us in reaching our goal while ensuring that we keep the tradition of supporting literary translation alive at VSC.” For details about how to apply visit vermontstudiocenter.org.

Founded in 1984, Vermont Studio Center (VSC) welcomes artists and writers for studio residencies in an inclusive, international community, honoring creative work as the communication of spirit through form. VSC offers residents and the public an opportunity to engage with global creative communities. For more information, visit vermontstudiocenter.org 

The American Literary Translators Association (ALTA) is a nonprofit arts membership association that provides programs and professional affiliation to the literary translation community: individual translators, academic institutions, presses, and others working in literary translation. The annual ALTA conference and year-round events are structured around the creation of high-quality art. ALTA also administers awards to recognize excellence in translation and provides fellowships and mentorships to support emerging translators.