International residencies and capability building programmes play a significant role in encouraging cultural exchange between countries. To support Singapore writers’ participation at such platforms, the National Arts Council (NAC) works with various international partners to offer fully paid residency awards to Singapore writers across Singapore’s four major languages, English, Chinese, Malay and Tamil. Our partners have included the Lu Xun Academy of Literature (China), the Toji Cultural Foundation (South Korea), the National Centre for Writing (UK), Sangam House (India), and the University of Iowa’s International Writing Program (USA).
Open calls for residencies happen throughout the year and will be listed on this page when they are open for applications.
NATIONAL ARTS COUNCIL – SANGAM HOUSE RESIDENCY
2024-2025
[open for applications]
The National Arts Council is pleased to partner with Sangam House (Bangalore), to offer a fully-paid, one-month-long residency for one Singapore Tamil writer in 2024-2025.
Residency Programme Dates: For one month, between 1 November 2024 and 31 January 2025
Application Deadline: 22 September 2024 (Sunday), 2359hrs
About the Residency: Sangam House provides visiting writers with the time and space to write, while giving them a chance to build a solid and influential network of personal and professional relationships that can deepen their own work, and in effect, expand and diversify literature. Their programme also facilitates interaction between the visiting writers and the local arts communities, cultivating an intersection that infuses the local communities with inspiration and new ideas, while allowing each participating writer to deepen their understanding of the diverse emotional and social climates in which literature is conceived and received. For more details: www.sangamhouse.org
NAC-Sangam House Residency 2024-2025 |
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Residency Funding: The 2024 Writer-in-Residence will be awarded full residency support, including a per diem to cover incidental expenses not covered by Sangam House, and have their return economy airfare, visa fees, travel insurance, ground transport and residency fee (for housing and meals) covered while they attend the residency.
Application Procedure: To apply, please download the Application Guidelines and the Application Form. All applications are to be submitted through email to Rachannaa_VELAYUDHAM_from.TP@nac.gov.sg and must be accompanied by the following supporting documents:
- Completed application form.
- A brief (two pages, maximum) curriculum vitae of applicant, focusing on applicant’s literary works.
- A brief (one page, maximum) description of the work to be undertaken while at Sangam House. (Note: This work must be original. But it can be at any stage of development.)
- A Tamil writing sample, of no more than 50 pages. Please indicate if the work has been published or is unpublished. If it has been published, please provide publication details. (Note: Writing sample does not have to be in English. Please submit your writing sample in its original language, i.e. Tamil. However, all other documentation must be submitted in English.)
| 2024-2025 Dates | Milestones |
| 22 September (Sunday), 2359hrs | Applications close |
| Early October | Notification of results |
| One month, between 1 November 2024 and 31 January 2025 | Residency |
| Key Residencies | In-Person or Virtual | Country | Duration | Approximate Dates |
| National Centre for Writing Residency Programme | In-person | UK | 1 month | Typically in June or July |
| National Centre for Writing Virtual Residency Programme | Virtual | Anywhere | 7 months | From June to December |
| University of Iowa’s International Writing Program Fall Residency | In-person | USA | 3 months | From late August to mid-November |
| National Centre for Writing Emerging Translator Mentorships Programme | Virtual & In-person (optional) | Anywhere / UK | 6 months | From October to March |
| Sangam House | In-person | India | 1 month | Between November to January |
| Toji Cultural Foundation | In-person | South Korea | 2 months | Available year-round |