Prospective Applicant Info

We are excited you are interested in applying for Audium’s sound residency! 

This year, there are signficant changes to the residency’s structure. The residency will now be a 3-month commitment (instead of 6). Residents will compose & perform a full-length work for the lobby and space- they will not share a night as in previous years.
Please read through the overview, full schedule, eligibility and selection criteria below. There is a separate FAQ section as well.

When you are ready to apply, head here to begin the application.

Virtual info session- July 9
Overview of residency + Q&A 
Register here

OpenAudium- July 15
Free tech workshop geared towards residency applicants.
Register here.

Program Overview

The residency is a 3-month commitment (October- December, December-February, February-April). 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 15-20 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, including spatial sound pioneer Stan Shaff, 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 artists with Audium’s tools, technology, and concept of performed sound movement. Audium’s team, including spatial sound pioneer Stan Shaff, 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 begin to design their own compositions for the space and audio/visuals to accompany it for a lobby installation. Artists schedule timeslots to compose on-site, and will 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. 

Questions? Contact residency@audium.org

Selection Criteria

1. Artists will be chosen to reflect the diverse perspectives of our community. Women and artists of color are encouraged to apply.
2. 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.
3. Sample sound selections have variety, storytelling, nuance, intentionality, contrast.
4. 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.
5.  Understanding of the elements of music composition (melody, harmony, rhythm)
6. Creativity, curiosity, and openness to learning new techniques in sound manipulation.

Residency spots are limited, but we are also actively seeking future collaborators. All applying artists will be considered for future programming.