When does the residency take place?
The residency takes place from the 22nd to September 26th 2024.
The application deadline is the 26th of July 2024.
What is this residency about?
With this residency, we want to offer five musicians the opportunity to focus on the following questions: What is my role as a musician in the face of the climate crisis? What does it mean for my work? How can we as a community of musicians build resilience and perceive ourselves as allies in this crisis? How do I interact with my audience in light of the crisis?
This residency allows the participants to focus on their own artistic practice. While we believe it is important to save emissions in our practice, we are bracketing this aspect for the moment. In the Swiss music scene, the climate debate is often very technical. Many panels have been centering CO2 emissions, green mobility, etc. The emotional, sensual aspects, on the other hand, are discussed less often. However, we believe that potential is being missed here. We want to activate the poetic, utopian potential of change in the face of the environmental crises and we want to support you in finding your own angle. We offer a space and a community because we know time is always scarce and these themes can feel heavy when faced alone.
Music Declares Emergency is intended to be a contact point for various players in the music industry. Most of all, it should be a community by and for artists. Music has historically been at the forefront of many social movements since it has the unique capacity, in its form and accessibility, to reach across all parts of society. We believe that practicing art is a valid answer to the crisis - art is not a luxury but a need. Especially in difficult times.
How much does it cost?
With the kind support of Julie's Bicycle, Vert le Futur, the Mercator Foundation and ProHelvetia, Music Declares Emergency is able to cover the costs of this residency. You won't have to pay anything for the program and the hospitality. You are invited! The only costs you have to cover are your travel costs.
Who can apply?
We are addressing professional musicians from the Swiss-German music scene who have signed the MDE Declaration of Emergency and / or want to engage more with the climate crisis but don’t know where to start. We are looking for five musicians
who are diverse in regards to artistic practice, identity, age, etc. to make sure that different voices are being heard.
How we define professional musicians
Ideally, at least three of the following statements describe your situation.
I have released music
I work with people in the music industry
I consider music my main job
I perform about 6-10 (or more) times a year
I have a fanbase / standing in a scene
I make money from my music, and it helps support me
What will we do?
Each day, the residents will be provided with a «quest» (a short input). During daytime, they will reflect artistically on the question. They will work individually and on their own projects. In the evening, the artists will share an artifact with the others through which they share their thoughts on the day's quest. It can be music, it can be an installation, it can be a performance, a letter. After everyone has presented their artifact, there will be an open discussion. Further, there will be a daily input session by
artists (not residents) who already work with climate as a topic.
Inputs and Q&As will be offered by:
- Fay Milton (Savages)
- Manu Delago
- Livia Rita
-...more TBA
Language
Expect the communication during the residency to be in English or Deutsch.
Accessibility
We desire for this program to be as accessible for each artist as possible. Don’t hesitate to send us your Accessibility Rider. Please let us know if you have questions about the facility.
We work to provide you with as much info about the space as possible. We will upload pictures here as soon as we have received them so you can assess the space and its wheelchair accessibility, handrails, etc. We are happy to figure out with you if we can accommodate you. Keep in mind that it is an alpine location, but it is accessible by car.
Childcare
Unfortunately, we don’t have the staff to provide childcare at the moment.
Where is it and how will we live and work?
The residency will take place at the artist house «Bündner Rigi» in the region of Surselva, Graubünden. The house is run by the artist Livia Rita who works with the topics of ecologic transformation herself.
The café and artist studio house am Piz Mundaun is situated at an altitude of 1618 meters on the eastern flank of Piz Mundaun between Lumnezia and Obersaxen and was built in 1902 as one of the first hostels in the Surselva. The heart of the Bündner Rigi is the parlor and sun terrace with an incredible view, where everyone is welcome during the main seasons! Otherwise, the new Bündner Rigi is a gastro-art symbiosis; various artistic projects are being worked on in the Berghaus and concerts are organised. More information about the artistic program of Bünder Rigi can be found here.
Each applicant will have their own private room and fresh bedding (no need to bring a sleeping bag). There are collective showers and gender neutral bathrooms. We will cook and eat together, so we will accommodate dietary restrictions as we will decide on the menu collectively.
You will be provided a work space where you can work on your musical practice individually and there is a PA. Specified information regarding the available equipment will be provided once you have been accepted. But please be aware that at least in part, you’ll have to bring your own instruments / equipment; so the projects have to be feasible with reasonably sized equipment. We will provide last mile transport from Ilanz.
In summer, the house is accessible by public transport and a 40-minute walk from Morissen or Cuolm Sura or by car to the Berghaus. If you have concerns about accessibility because you have mobility restrictions, don’t hesitate to contact us. It is not mandatory that you mention your needs in the application but we appreciate it because it will help us provide assistance.
Detailed information about the arrival time and travel will be provided once you have been accepted.
