Call for applications: OneBeat Virtual 4 fellowship

During this eight-week period, OneBeat fellows will investigate new forms of virtual collaboration, and work together to write, produce and perform new musical works. The fellowship allows both online connection and asynchronous offline project development time. Selected fellows will attend virtual masterclasses and open-studios, participate in online workshops and produce a final presentation for a global audience.

OneBeat Virtual offers a unique opportunity for fellows to incubate ideas for new forms of virtual collaboration engaging communities around the world, supported by mentorship and collaborative exchange. Past participants have developed projects that foster diversity and inclusion, develop new technologies, broaden access to education, encourage economic empowerment, engage with issues like climate change, and build community resilience.

Musicians, sound artists, and sonic explorers, aged between 19 and 35, from eligible countries and territories are invited to apply. Fellows will receive a $1 500 honorarium and a modest per diem for their online participation.

OneBeat Virtual is an initiative of the US State Department’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs in collaboration with the groundbreaking New York-based music organisation Bang on a Can’s Found Sound Nation.

Important information for applicants:

• Musicians from all backgrounds are encouraged to apply, with or without formal musical training. All genres are welcome, 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, adventurous musicians who are civic leaders, instrument builders, writers, videographers, musicologists, educators, storytellers, dancers, shadow-puppeteers and more are invited.
• OneBeat Virtual is a residency and exchange programme. Fellows are expected to attend all online sessions during the eight-week period, including virtual masterclasses, full group and elective online workshops and the final public streaming events. The fellowship involves 28 working days over eight weeks to allow for both online connection and asynchronous offline project development time.
• Collaboration is central. OneBeat offers musicians the opportunity to collaborate on new projects and to explore new musical traditions. Rather than showcasing solo talent, OneBeat musicians will work together across stylistic and cultural divides in pursuit of 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 more egalitarian and democratic societies.

Review criteria

• Musical excellence: A high level of performance, composition, improvisational, production and/or technological skill. Ideally OneBeat Virtual 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.
• Digital fluency: Applicants who have experience working, creating and collaborating in digital spaces, demonstrate skill in creating digital media, or show promise engaging and encouraging others engagement in web-based collaboration.

Eligible African countries:

• Algeria.
• Democratic Republic of Congo.
• Egypt.
• Kenya.
• Morocco.
• Niger.
• Nigeria.
• Senegal.
• South Africa.
• Sudan.
• Tunisia.

Interested artists should apply here before 17 February. All questions should be emailed at apply@1beat.org.

View the original call here.