Apply to OneBeat Residency Program 2024 for Musicians Worldwide

About

OneBeat is a music exchange and incubator for music-based social entrepreneurship, where innovative musicians from around the world launch collaborative projects designed to make a positive impact on local and global communities.

An initiative of the U.S. State Department’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs in collaboration with the groundbreaking New York-based music organization Bang on a Can’s Found Sound Nation, OneBeat employs collaborative original music as a potent new form of cultural diplomacy.

OneBeat is open to musicians of all genres.

2024 Countries and Territories

Albania, Algeria, Argentina, Bangladesh, Barbados, Belarus, Bolivia, Brazil, China, Colombia, Cuba, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Egypt, Ghana, Greece, Honduras, India, Indonesia, Iraq, Israel, Japan, Kazakhstan, Kenya, Kosovo, Kyrgyzstan, Lebanon, Malaysia, Mauritania, Mexico, Mongolia, Montenegro, Morocco, Nepal, Niger, Nigeria, Pakistan, Palestinian Territories, Philippines, Poland, Russia, Saudi Arabia, Senegal, Serbia, South Africa, South Korea, Sri Lanka, Taiwan, Tajikistan, Tunisia, Turkey, Ukraine, United States, Uzbekistan, Venezuela

Eligibility

Age

Applicants must be 19 or older by the start of the program (September 1, 2024) and 35 or younger at the end of the program (October 31, 2024).

Eligible Countries and Territories

Albania, Algeria, Argentina, Bangladesh, Barbados, Belarus, Bolivia, Brazil, China, Colombia, Cuba, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Egypt, Ghana, Greece, Honduras, India, Indonesia, Iraq, Israel, Japan, Kazakhstan, Kenya, Kosovo, Kyrgyzstan, Lebanon, Malaysia, Mauritania, Mexico, Mongolia, Montenegro, Morocco, Nepal, Niger, Nigeria, Pakistan, Palestinian Territories, Philippines, Poland, Russia, Saudi Arabia, Senegal, Serbia, South Africa, South Korea, Sri Lanka, Taiwan, Tajikistan, Tunisia, Turkey, Ukraine, United States, Uzbekistan, Venezuela

Important Information for Applicants:

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.

What you should know about OneBeat:

1. 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.
2. OneBeat is socially engaged. We are 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.
3. OneBeat is a FREE program (but not a paid gig). The OneBeat program covers all Fellows’ travel, transportation, food, and lodging. We also offer a modest stipend. While we are not able to pay performance fees, OneBeat offers Fellows a chance to create new material, establish lifelong musical partnerships and friendships, learn new marketable skills, tour the US, and develop professional connections.

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 3-5 samples of their solo and collaborative work (both audio and video are accepted).

Review Criteria

1. 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.
2. 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.
3. 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.
4. Age – Applicants must be between 19-35 years old.
5. English Proficiency – Applicants should be able to converse in and understand basic English, as it will be the common language of the OneBeat program.
6. Country or Territory of Origin – OneBeat Fellows must currently live full-time in one of the 45 eligible countries and territories. We also seek applicants who have not traveled extensively to the U.S. or have rarely performed in the U.S.
7. Internet Proficiency – Whenever possible, OneBeat Fellows should actively use email and be able to connect to the internet to participate in website-based activities.

DEADLINE: Applications are due by September 15, 2023 11:59 PM EDT.

NOTIFICATION: Applicants will be notified of the review panel decision by December 31, 2023.

PROGRAM: OneBeat 13 & 14 will take place in Spring 2024 & Fall 2024.

CONTACT: If you have questions please contact apply@1beat.org

Please register to start a new application.
If you’ve already started, login to continue.
Please read the Frequently Asked Questions before beginning your application.

GET STARTED