Prospective Applicant Info

Thanks for your interest in the Audium sound residency! The application is currently closed. 

Join the mailing list for word on next year’s submission details.

Artists of all experience levels are encouraged to apply.

We especially welcome women, artists of color, and artists from historically underrepresented communities.

All ages and levels of experience are encouraged to apply.

Residency spots are limited, but we are also actively seeking future collaborators.

All applying artists will be considered for future programming.


Additional questions? 
Contact 
residency@audium.org

Program Overview

 

The residency is a 3-month commitment (December- February, March-May, or June-August). The first two months is a creation period: artists are trained to use Audium’s spatial sound system, compose fully immersive sound compositions, and rehearse their works. After, there is a one-month performance period, during which participants perform their sound compositions three nights per week.

Artists receive $1500/month for the creation period (2 months), and $200 per show during the performance period (totaling 12 planned performances). Time commitment during composing period is approx 20-25 hrs per week.

 

The first week of the program is spent familiarizing the artist with Audium’s tools, technology, and concept of performed sound movement. Audium’s team advise artists on how live spatialization from speaker to speaker can alter and shape their compositions.

Residency artists learn how to use the instrument that is Audium’s speaker space. The subsequent 7 weeks, artists gain fluency in sound control as they design their own compositions for the space and accompanying sound/visuals installations for the lobby.

Artists schedule timeslots to compose on-site, and participate in weekly check-in meetings and 1-2 community workshops to engage the public with their work.

The first week of the program is spent familiarizing the artist with Audium’s tools, technology, and concept of performed sound movement. Audium’s team advise artists on how live spatialization from speaker to speaker can alter and shape their compositions.

Residency artists learn how to use the instrument that is Audium’s speaker space. The subsequent 7 weeks, artists gain fluency in sound control as they design their own compositions for the space and accompanying sound/visuals installations for the lobby.

Artists schedule timeslots to compose on-site, and participate in weekly check-in meetings and 1-2 community workshops to engage the public with their work.

Instruction is provided on how participants can take the themes of their compositions and expand them to the rest of the building. Projections, sounds, and lighting are all programmed specifically for a fully immersive experience. This year, residents can work with a collaborating artist to help design their lobby installation.

During the performance period, participants present their compositions to the public in a concert series. Artist residents perform the sound movement of their works live each night. After each performance, the artists engage with the audience in an artist talkback session. Through these open discussions, participants discover how other listeners experience the totality of their work. During the performance period, artists are encouraged to continue rehearsing their spatial performances and tweaking their compositions, as experience informs their perspective.

At the end of Audium’s spatial sound residency program, resident artists have gained fluency in the art of live sound movement. They have created site-specific immersive sound works, and have shared these works with the public.

Schedules 

 

  • Application Submission Window – July 7th to July 27th 2026 at 11:59pm PST

 

  • Notification of Selected Artists – Week of Sept 14, 2026

 

  • Orientation (all selected artists) – *Date to be determined

Residency Schedule

  • Artist #1
    • Composition period: Dec 1, 2026- Jan 3, 2027
    • Performance period: Feb 5-28, 2027
  • Artist #2
    • Composition period: March 1 – April 30, 2027
    • Performance period: May 7- 30, 2027
  • Artist # 3
    • Composition period: June 1 – July 31, 2027
    • Performance period: Aug 5- 29, 2027

Eligibility

  • You must live in the Bay Area to apply. Plans to move upon acceptance to the program are not acceptable.

 

  • Open to all artists working in sound and music with preferred background in music composition.

 

  • Must be available for FULL participation in orientation and at least one of the composition/performance periods (see schedule).

 

  • Must be available to compose at Audium approximately 15-20 hours per week during the content creation period.

 

  • You must have samples of your sounds/music ready to share.Have an open mind and open ears!

 

Selection Criteria

  • Experience in the creation of immersive works. Being that artists will be designing a complete performance night, experience with project management and attention to all elements of the space (lighting, projection and sound in lobby area) is crucial.

 

  • Sample sound selections have variety, storytelling, nuance, intentionality, contrast.

 

  • Understanding/willingness to learn Audium’s philosophy of live sound movement performance. Adaptability to Audium’s multi-channel environment and flexibility with new technology/ideas.

 

  • Understanding of the elements of music composition (melody, harmony, rhythm)

 

  • Creativity, curiosity, and openness to learning new techniques in sound manipulation.

The application is now closed.

Join the mailing list for word on next year’s submission details.