Deadline: July 14, 2023
Applications for the OneBeat Ghana Residency Program 2023 are now open. OneBeat Ghana will bring together a cohort of leading young musician entrepreneurs from Ghana, Nigeria and the U.S. for an intensive 2-week residency in Ghana to exchange and build strategies for stronger artist communities and creative economies in the region.
Fellows will participate in skill shares and discussions, creative exercises, 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. Musicians in these areas require systems of support in order to build stronger artistic communities. OneBeat Ghana will bring together a cohort of musician leaders who are leading the charge to build stronger creative economies in their region and support the development of innovative artist-led ventures and socially informed projects. Musicians are asked to apply with specific project ideas to work on during the program. 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.
Cost
- All costs will be covered for OneBeat Fellows, including travel and accommodations. Fellows will also receive a per diem and a modest honorarium.
Eligibility
- Applicants must be 19 or older by the time of the program (November 6, 2023) and 35 or younger at the end of the program (November 20, 2023).
- Eligible Countries and Territories are Ghana, Nigeria, United States.
- Musicians from all backgrounds are encouraged to apply, with or without formal musical training. We welcome 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, we also invite adventurous musicians who double as community organizers, instrument builders, writers, videographers, musicologists, educators, storytellers, dancers, shadow-puppeteers, and more.
- Applicants should be able to converse in and understand basic English, as it will be the common language of the OneBeat program.
Selection 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.
Application
Applications are due by July 14, 2023 5:00 PM EDT. Applicants will be notified of the review panel decision by August 31, 2023.
For more information, see FAQ and visit OneBeat Ghana.
