Soundscapes of Connection

Soundscapes of Connection ©Goethe-Institut Myanmar

Goethe-Institut Myanmar is excited to announce an open call for a contemporary music project centered around the concepts of either Empathy, Listening, Expressions, or Resonance. This project invites musicians, composers, sound artists, and other music talents from within Myanmar and the Myanmar diaspora worldwide, including Germany, (with a particular focus on Southeast Asia). We especially encourage applications from musical talents representing diverse backgrounds and different ethnicities. Cross-disciplinary approaches are also welcome.

Soundscapes of Connection: Call for Contemporary Music Innovators

Project Themes

We are looking for projects that:

Explore the structures that foster human connection and understanding through sound. And/or
Delve into the act of listening as an active, transformative process. And/or
Investigate the ways in which sound articulates and expresses human experience and emotion. And/or
Examine the reverberations of sound within physical, emotional, and cultural spaces.

Project Duration

This open call is for projects starting from January 1, 2025. The ideal duration of the project is a minimum of 3 months to a maximum of 6 months.

Budget

The total budget for this project ranges from 3,000 EUR to 15,000 EUR, which will be directly managed by Goethe-Institut Myanmar in collaboration with the selected music expert teams.

Eligibility

Open to musical talents from Myanmar and the Myanmar diaspora.
Emphasis on individuals residing in Myanmar or Southeast Asia, but open to global submissions.

Application Process

Detailed Project Description (minimum 500 words, maximum 1,000 words)
Outline the content and process of the project, including the names of participating artists, musicians, professionals, and partners. Map out your strategies for the implementation format, target group, and audience.

Involvement of Goethe-Institut Myanmar (minimum 80 words, maximum 150 words)
Explain how and in what way the Goethe-Institut will be involved as an initiative entity.

Relevance of the Project (minimum 80 words, maximum 150 words)

Explain the significance and appeal of the project.
Highlight the role of the applicant within Myanmar and/or its cultural scene.

Detailed Calculation and Financing Plan
Provide a comprehensive budget and financial plan for the project, including a breakdown of how you plan to utilize the funding (not exceeding 15,000 EUR).

Portfolio
Provide a portfolio or samples of previous work (audio or video files, links to performances or compositions). Maximum attachment size of 20 MB.
The preferable submission language is English, but Burmese is also welcome.

Additional Points to Consider

Impact and Sustainability
Describe the potential long-term impact of the project on the local and/or international music scene. Outline any plans for sustaining the project's outcomes beyond the initial funding period.

Community Engagement
Explain how the project will engage with local communities, including any educational or outreach components, especially outside urban areas.

Deadline

The deadline for applications is August 11, 2024 (Sunday). Applications received after midnight (Myanmar time) on the 11th will not be considered.

Submission

Email your application to info.kultur.mmr@goethe.de with the subject line “Soundscapes of Connection: Call for Contemporary Music Innovators – [Your Name/Group Name]”.

Keywords for Inspiration

Human connection
Transformative listening
Emotional articulation
Sound expression
Cultural resonance
Acoustic architecture
Sonic empathy
Auditory perception
Echo and reverberation
Musical storytelling
Sound walk
Podcast
Field recording
Active listening
Listening to the land
Oral history

We look forward to receiving your innovative and inspiring proposals. Together, let's create a symphony of contemporary music that resonates with empathy, expression, and profound listening.

Orientation sessions

To ensure a clear understanding of the application preparation and submission process, we will provide the following online orientation sessions:

July 24, 2024 (Wednesday): 4:30 PM – 5:30 PM (Myanmar Time)
https://goethe-institut.zoom.us/j/85239781803
Meeting-ID: 852 3978 1803

July 31, 2024 (Wednesday): 4:30 PM – 5:30 PM (Myanmar Time)
https://goethe-institut.zoom.us/j/85477095488
Meeting-ID: 854 7709 5488

August 7, 2024 (Wednesday): 4:30 PM – 5:30 PM (Myanmar Time)
https://goethe-institut.zoom.us/j/86815976746
Meeting-ID: 868 1597 6746

Selection Process

Notification of Receipt: Every submission will receive an email notification confirming receipt of the application.

First Selection: Notification by August 30, 2024.
Final Selection: Notification by October 30, 2024.

For more information and inquiries, please contact:

Haymann Oo
Cultural Program Coordinator
Haymann.oo@goethe.de
+95 9 880 876 168