Sonic Terrains

ONLINE SPATIAL SOUND ARTIST DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME | SOMERSET HOUSE STUDIOS

Application Deadline: Sun 3 May 2020 

Somerset House Studios invites applications for a new online spatial sound artist development programme, Sonic Terrains, taking place from May to August 2020. Five artists will each be supported remotely to make an ambitious new spatial sound work with a £3,000 artist fee and up to 30 hours of online studio sessions with state-of-the-art spatial sound studio Call & Response.

Each session will be supported by a dedicated spatial sound producer and will include mentorship, follow up materials and remote production support towards the development of a new spatial sound work. All five works will premiere online as part of a special online edition of Assembly in September 2020.

No previous experience working with spatial sound is required. Proposals can be cross-disciplinary and involve more than one creator or performer, but the central focus of the work must be the presentation of an online immersive sound or music work.

Current innovations in spatial sound and immersive listening offer exciting new possibilities for audiences and performers in terms of how we experience and produce sound and music. Sonic Terrains is the first programme of its kind in the UK and is designed to give artists space, time and budget to think, experiment and develop new ideas in this innovative space while working remotely in the current climate.

Please read Who should apply details below and our Application Guidelines before submitting your application. We actively welcome applications from artists who identify as having any kind of disability. At application, the equal opportunities form provides space for you to share details, but if you would like to discuss your requirements in advance or to hear how we envisage the programme running in more detail, please email studios@somersethouse.org.uk.

What this residency includes

  • Each residency will be tailored towards the needs of the artist(s) and their required level of support, and final works must be a minimum 30 minutes in length. 
  • £3,000 artist fee for the creation and online presentation of a significant new spatial sound work. This must include all the costs of your music making, including collaborators.
  • Your work presented as part of a special online edition of Assembly in September 2020.
  • Up to 12 x 1.5 hour online studio sessions between May and August 2020. This is will include the creative development of your project, follow up materials, mentorship and production support from spatial sound mentors Call & Response.
  • Web Development support to realize the presentation of final work online.
  • Somerset House Studios Producer support to create individual residency schedules and set key milestones based on your project.
     

Who should apply

  • Artists with a sound-based practice – no experience of working with spatial sound previously is required.
  • This residency is offered remotely and open to UK based artists, composers and musicians in the first 10 years of establishing their practice.
  • Applications are invited from artists of all disciplines, but the project must have a clearly defined sound or music component that can be presented online.
  • Artists from other disciplines are welcome to apply but the opportunity is specifically for the composition of music and sound, so any application must make a strong case for compositional quality.
  • Artists who are willing to work with the digital team at Somerset House to share some of their making process online.
  • Artists available to undertake online studio sessions between May and August 2020 in the run up to online presentation dates in September 2020 (schedule to be agreed based on individual availability and project requirements).
  • Somerset House Studios resident artists are welcome to apply and will be considered equally by the selection panel in the mix of overall candidates.
  • Collaborations are welcome but the budget will remain the same for each project.
  • Those in formal education, full or part time, are not eligible.

Sonic Terrains is supported by Jerwood Arts' Development Programme Fund