Call for applications: OneBeat 2018

The programme invites musicians from around the world to collaborate on “projects designed to make a positive impact on local and global communities”.

The musicians, who must be within the ages of 19 to 35, come together for a month in the US, where they write, produce and perform in a collaborative environment. They also find "art-based" ways to engage selected communities.

After the initial residency, the musicians embark on a tour of the US where they work with local acts and involve young people in workshops. The home countries of OneBeat fellows also benefit, as the musicians are tasked with coming up with projects that are "linked to a mutually reinforcing network of music-driven social enterprises".

OneBeat, as the programme's mission states, provides "a chance for adventurous musicians from an incredible diversity of traditions to seek common ground, create new musical combinations, push the boundaries of music technology and find ways to involve all members of society in the process of musical creativity".

Interested musicians from the following African countries are encouraged to submit applications before the deadline of 9 February 2018: Algeria, Egypt, Kenya, Madagascar, Mali, Morocco, Mozambique, Nigeria, Senegal, South Africa, Tunisia and Zimbabwe.

Other eligible countries include Albania, Belarus, Bolivia, Brazil, Cambodia, China, Colombia, Cuba, Dominican Republic, Haiti, Honduras, Hungary, India, Indonesia, Iraq, Jordan, Kyrgyzstan, Lebanon, Macedonia, Malaysia, Moldova, Mongolia, Nepal, Pakistan, Palestinian Territories, Philippines, Russia, Tajikistan, Turkey, Ukraine, the US, Uzbekistan and Venezuela.

OneBeat is an initiative of the US State Department's Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs in collaboration with music organisation Bang on a Can's Found Sound Nation.

For more information, visit the OneBeat website here.