Call for applications: OneBeat residence programme in Algeria

The programme will take place in various locations around Algeria including Taghit, Béchar and Algiers. OneBeat is an initiative of the US Department of State’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs and is produced by Found Sound Nation.

The fellowship seeks to bring together 25 musicians from Algeria, Libya, Mali, Mauritania, Morocco, Niger, Tunisia and the US to jointly create original work and develop a global network of civically engaged music initiatives.

Interested artists should apply here. The application deadline is 2 September and applicants will be notified of the review panel decision on 7 October.

Eligibility

• Age: Applicants must be between 19 and 35 years old during the dates of the programme (programme is expected to run in February 2021).
• Eligible countries and territories: Algeria, Libya, Mali, Mauritania, Morocco, Niger, Tunisia, and the US.

Audio/video application materials

• Applicants should plan to write about their musical background and interests as well as future projects and goals.
• Applicants will be asked to submit three to five samples of their solo and collaborative work (both audio and video will be accepted).

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 one of the eight eligible countries and territories. OneBeat also seeks applicants who have not travelled extensively or have rarely performed internationally.
• 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. OneBeat accepts 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, OneBeat also invites experimental musicians who double as community organisers, instrument builders, writers, videographers, musicologists, educators, storytellers, dancers and shadow-puppeteers to apply.

View original call here.