Call for applications: OneBeat music residency in Ghana

OneBeat Ghana is the pilot version of a new model of OneBeat Abroad music exchange focused on creative entrepreneurship and strategies to address issues faced by global musicians.

Scheduled for 6 to 20 November, the programme will convene 11 to 12 artists from all three countries in Ghana to exchange and build strategies for stronger artist communities and creative economies in the region.

Fellows will participate in skillsharing, discussions, creative exercises and workshops led by guest artists while working to develop project proposals.

“In today’s rapidly shifting music industry, musicians need to function not simply as artists, but as creative entrepreneurs to succeed,” OneBeat Ghana said. 

OneBeat Ghana will bring together a cohort of musician leaders who are spearheading the charge to build stronger creative economies in their region and support the development of innovative artist-led ventures and socially informed projects. 

Interested creatives may apply here before 14 July.

Eligibility

• Applicants must be 19 or older by the time of the programme (6 November) and 35 or younger at the end of the programme (20 November).
• Eligible countries and territories: Ghana, Nigeria and the US.
• 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, beat-making, multimedia art, or any combination of these styles. 
• In addition to full-time professional musicians, the programme invites adventurous musicians who double as community organisers, instrument builders, writers, videographers, musicologists, educators, storytellers, dancers, shadow-puppeteers, and more.
• Audio/video application materials: Applicants should plan to write about their proposed creative projects and their musical background.
• Applicants will be asked to submit three to five samples of their work (both audio and video are accepted).

Note: 

• OneBeat Ghana will bring together a cohort of leading young musician entrepreneurs from Ghana (and the West Africa region, depending on additional funding) for an intensive residency to exchange and build strategies for stronger artist communities and creative economies in the region.
• All costs will be covered for OneBeat fellows, including travel and accommodation. Fellows will also receive a per diem and a modest honorarium.

Review criteria

• Project proposal: Applicants must apply with a project proposal. Proposals will be rated based on four key factors: innovation, vision, impact and feasibility.
• 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.
• 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.
• 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 Ghana, Nigeria or the United States.
• Musicians are advised to apply with specific project ideas to work on during the programme. At the end of the residency, fellows will be asked to develop a pitch or plan for the next steps of their projects, which will be presented in Accra.

OneBeat Ghana is an initiative of the US Department of State’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs, and produced by Bang on a Can’s Found Sound Nation with additional support from the US Embassy in Ghana and the US Embassy in Nigeria.

View the original call here.