Call for applications: OneBeat music residency in the US

An initiative of the US State Department’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs in collaboration with New York-based music organisation Bang on a Can’s Found Sound Nation, OneBeat operates as an exchange and incubator for music-based social entrepreneurship. 

It employs collaborative original music as a potent new form of cultural diplomacy and allows innovative artists to launch collaborative projects designed to make a positive impact on local and global communities.

Eligibility

• Applicants must be 19 or older by the time of the programme (1 April 2023) and 35 or younger at the end of the program (31 October 2022).
• Eligible African countries include Algeria, the DRC, Egypt, Kenya, Morocco, Niger, Nigeria, Senegal, South Africa, Sudan and Tunisia.

Review criteria

• Musical Excellence: A high level of performance, composition, improvisational, production and/or technological skill. Ideally, OneBeat musicians will be innovating stylistically, lyrically, or technologically within their musical worlds.
• Collaboration: Applicants’ willingness to reach across cultural and musical divides in creating original music or re-interpreting traditional music, while respecting the essence of each tradition. Applicants should be prepared to try new things musically.
• Social engagement: Musicians who have used music to serve their communities or greater societies. This might consist of guiding young people in music education, addressing social or political issues through musical content, reviving dying musical traditions, and more.
• English proficiency: Applicants should be able to converse in and understand basic English, as it will be the common language of the OneBeat programme.
• Country or territory of origin: OneBeat fellows must currently live full-time in any of the eligible countries and territories. The programme also seeks applicants who have not travelled extensively to the US or have rarely performed in the US
• Internet proficiency: Whenever possible, OneBeat fellows should actively use email and be able to connect to the internet to participate in website-based activities.

Important information for applicants

• Musicians from all backgrounds are encouraged to apply, with or without formal musical training. 
• The programme welcomes music of all genres, including but not limited to traditional/folk, hip hop, experimental, electronic, jazz, classical, sound design, beatmaking, multimedia art or any combination of these styles.
• In addition to full-time professional musicians, the call is open to adventurous musicians who double as community organisers, instrument builders, writers, videographers, musicologists, educators, storytellers, dancers and shadow puppeteers, among others.

Note: 

• OneBeat offers musicians the opportunity to collaborate on new projects and explore new musical traditions. Rather than showcasing solo talent, OneBeat musicians will work together across stylistic and cultural divides to pursue new musical possibilities.
• OneBeat is looking for musicians who have a strong commitment to their communities and who are seeking new ways to engage in youth development, music education, music therapy, conflict resolution, a global dialogue through music, and other ways of working towards a more egalitarian and democratic society.
• OneBeat is a free programme (but not a paid gig). The OneBeat programme covers all fellows’ travel, transportation, food, lodging and a modest stipend. While OneBeat is unable to pay performance fees, it offers fellows a chance to create new material, establish lifelong musical partnerships and friendships, learn new marketable skills, tour the US and develop professional connections.

The application deadline is 2 September.

Interested participants can apply here. 

View the original call here.