This annual award in the amount of $10,000 is designed to encourage and foster literary activity that combines serious play, imagination, erudition and innovative practice.
Tom La Farge was a stylist who passionately rejected exclusivist dualities: adult/child, human/animal, male/female. His work fuses wit, fabulism, learning, compassion and radical play in a way that eludes the dominant literary conventions of both mainstream and avant-garde. Because this award aims to foster literary work in his spirit, applicants will be expected to familiarize themselves with his legacy. Proposals will be considered by a committee selected by Wendy Walker from among Tom's students, fellow writers and friends.
The award may be sought for a project or body of work in writing, publishing, education or any combination of the three. Applicants may not be enrolled in any degree-granting institution. Applications must be made in English and should include:
1) an introduction to the applicant’s self and work (500 words max.);
2) a description of the project for which the money will be used (1000 words max.);
3) a statement of how the proposal engages with Tom's work and the values espoused therein (500 words max.).
During the reading period, applicants may be contacted for additional materials and an interview by the committee.
Friends and relatives of committee members (listed below) may apply. The committee member of their acquaintance will participate in the discussion of their application, but will recuse herself from the vote.
The submission window for the 2024 award is closed.
Committee Members:
WENDY WALKER, Chairperson, author, artist, teacher, editor
PAUL LA FARGE (1970—2023), Advisor, novelist, teacher
Corina Bardoff, writer, librarian
Sam Goodman, writer, teacher
Michael Kowalski, composer, critic
Daniel Levin Becker, author, translator, editor
Eliza Grace Martin, writer
Philip Ording, mathematician, author, teacher
2023 Award Winner:
George Salis
We are happy to announce that George Salis, author of Sea Above, Sun Below and editor of The Collidescope, has won the first Tom La Farge Award for Innovative Writing, Teaching and Publishing.
The consensus about George's work and project was very strong, with the entire committee favoring the choice. Although we received many interesting proposals, George's was the one that seemed most firmly grounded in Tom's aesthetic values: a love of language, serious play, erudition and innovative style. You can learn more about George at his website and The Collidescope.
The first award celebration was held in New York City on June 9, 2023. You can watch a recording of the event here.