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Photo Credit: Ze Wei
National Museum of Taiwan Literature 2026 Selection Guidelines for Taiwan Literature Base Writers-in-Residence
The highly noted Writer-in-Residence Program is one of the most eye-catching and well-received activities at the Taiwan Literature Base. Since its launch in 2021, it has now entered its sixth year. More than 70 domestic and international writers, international translators, and interdisciplinary artists have already been in residence for creative work, and through various activities have engaged face-to-face with readers, turning the historic buildings of the Taiwan Literature Base into a living literary site. In recent years, the proportion of applications from international writers has also reached new highs year after year. Taking 2025 as an example, among 70 applications, creators from nearly 30 countries around the world competed for selection. Those admitted included the German, Korean, and Italian translators of Taiwan Travelogue, which had just been shortlisted for the International Booker Prize in the United Kingdom. In addition, Hong Kong writer Liu Qihua, who won first prize in the 2026 Chommanard International Women’s Literary Award for Lost in Translation, had also been in residence in March 2024, discussing the creation of that work and self-healing with readers. This shows the broad appeal of the residency program within the global literary network, as well as its inclusiveness toward diverse cultures.
The Taiwan Literature Base is a group of historic buildings located at the intersection of Section 2, Jinan Road and Qidong Street in Taipei City. “Muse House” is one of the dormitories in the park that retains the most original appearance, and its space is quiet and full of a sense of the times. Since restoration was completed and the site was officially opened to the public, the Taiwan Literature Base has repeatedly received recognition for its achievements in cultural heritage preservation and revitalization, including the Taipei City “Old House Rebirth Award” and the “Cultural Heritage Preservation and Maintenance Honor Award,” demonstrating its model value in balancing historic preservation and contemporary use. The National Museum of Taiwan Literature is committed to cultivating local creative energy and actively connecting with the international literary ecosystem. Through the residency program, creators are able to experience and create over an extended period within historic buildings, seek inspiration in the temporal texture and spatial atmosphere carried by wooden single-story houses, begin a creative journey of their own, and transform life experience into unique nourishment for writing.
This year’s “2026 Taiwan Literature Base Writer-in-Residence Selection” is open to applicants of all nationalities. All those who love writing and interdisciplinary creators are welcome. In addition to traditional literary forms such as fiction, prose, and poetry, translation and interdisciplinary creative projects are also welcome to apply for residency. It is hoped that through translation across different vocabularies, the diverse possibilities of Taiwan literature can be explored together. During the residency period, selected participants will also hold public exchange activities to share their creative process and thinking, promote direct dialogue between authors and readers, and allow literature to become a language of exchange across national borders and academic disciplines.
To enable creators from different countries and cultural backgrounds to participate more smoothly, this program adopts online application. Applicants may complete the submission process through the Arts and Cultural Events Platform. The website also provides the selection guidelines in Chinese, English, and Japanese versions to help domestic and international creators clearly understand the residency content and application requirements. For related information, please refer to the “2026 Taiwan Literature Base Writer-in-Residence Selection” page, the official website of the Taipei Branch of the National Museum of Taiwan Literature, and its fan page.
| Duration | The residency period is available between August 13, 2026 and July 31, 2027. Applicants must plan a writing residency of 7 to 30 days on their own. However, residency is not available from October 10 to November 20, 2026, and from February 1 to March 2, 2027. |
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| Fields and Media | Community Development, Cultural Heritage, Literature, Other, Visual Art |
| Provided by Host | Selected residents may stay free of charge in “Muse House,” a detached Japanese-style house located within the Taiwan Literature Base, which includes a reception room, studio, bedroom, bathroom, and kitchen. |
| How to Apply | Application is online only. Applicants must complete the online application before the deadline and upload copies of the required identification documents, the residency proposal in the required format, and any additional supporting materials. Applicants must also describe their creative background and proposed residency project, and submit at least one previously published work. No changes may be made after submission. |
| Selection Procedure | The selection process has two stages. In the preliminary review, the museum examines applicant eligibility and submitted documents. In the secondary review, a review committee composed of 3 to 5 experts and scholars invited by the museum conducts the evaluation. After approval, the results and the list of reviewers will be announced, and selected applicants will be notified. |
| Expected Outcome | Selected residents must follow the residency schedule and, during the residency, organize at least one public-facing activity each weekend (Saturday or Sunday), such as a reader exchange or sharing session. Within 5 days after the residency ends, they must submit a final report consistent with the proposed project. They must also cooperate with promotional activities arranged by the museum and accept interviews and filming for documentation videos. |