Futures of Listening

Open Calls for Residencies

We are thrilled to launch the first set of open calls for artists, makers, composers and creators based in the Netherlands. The funded residencies take place within the framework of Futures of Listening, a new platform supporting emerging developments in spatial sound, immersive experiences, performance, and installation art. There will be further open calls announced in 2027.

Each residency offers the opportunity to realise innovative research at the intersection of spatial sound and immersive experience. The possible outcomes range from prototypes and new methodologies to installations, data-driven sonic works, and spatial audio compositions.

Your residency consists of 25 working days spread over three months. During this time, you will conduct artistic research, explore sound/immersive experiments, and work towards the development of a work based on the proposal in your application. More general info about the financial compensation and support can be found here.

Applicants must be based in the Netherlands and registered as an artist with the Dutch Chamber of Commerce (KvK).

Read more about each application and apply via Homerun below.
All applications close on 13 September 2026, 23:59 CET. 

Earth Immersion #1: Trembling Planet

Ice-breakoff events from glaciers and landslides are becoming more frequent as the climate changes. These events generate infrasound that moves across the planet, far below the range of human hearing.

This residency offers one artist, designer or maker working with sound the opportunity to undertake a residency exploring spatial sound in relation to seismology, climate and discharge‑related acoustics.

Outcomes may include spatial sound productions, immersive installations, data‑driven sonic works, audiovisual pieces, software prototypes, reusable methodologies or other contributions that expand how seismic and climatic phenomena can be experienced and understood through sound.

In collaboration with Royal Netherlands Meteorological Institute (KNMI)

Residency duration: January - March 2027

Architecture on Sound #1

Architecture often considers sound only after a building is complete. This residency shifts the question: rather than asking how a space should sound, it asks how sound itself can create space.

Outcomes may include installations, spatial audio compositions, performances, audiovisual works, software prototypes, reusable methodologies, modular interfaces or other contributions that expand how spatial sound can be created, experienced and understood.

Residency duration: December 2026 - February 2027

Worlding Narratives #2: Roaming Sound Space

Setting aside virtual reality, augmented reality, and video, this residency centres sound as the main medium for immersive experience. It explores how sonic worldbuilding allows us to navigate virtual spaces through listening.

Outcomes may include interactive sonic prototypes, spatial audio compositions, immersive listening experiences, narrative sound works, audiovisual‑sound hybrids, software prototypes or other contributions that expand how immersive sonic storytelling can be created, experienced and understood.

Residency duration: January - March 2027

General Information about the Open Calls for Residencies

At the heart of Futures of Listening sits a residency programme, inviting artists, both directly and through open calls, to conduct research, experiment, and develop works, as well as present these outcomes to the public. A key objective of those residencies is to provide space for the development of immersive knowledge, methods, instruments, tools and opportunities to explore new approaches.

We aim to connect and support existing professionals with sonic practices and introduce new opportunities for emerging talents to experiment and develop new works in spatial sound. There are multiple open calls inviting artists for different residencies in both 2026 and 2027. Hereby, we present the first set of open calls.

Read about the application process, residency structure, compensation and expected outcomes here.

FAQ’s

Read about Frequently Asked Questions here, covering the following topics:

General

What is Futures of Listening?
What are the research areas of Futures of Listening?
What is the purpose of this residency?
What do I get from participating in this residency?
What is expected from me during this residency?
Where is the residency taking place?
How am I being financially supported during this residency?
Can I combine this residency with another project or funding source?
Who owns the intellectual property of any artworks, tools or software developed during the residency?

Application

How does the open call work?
What background or training is needed to apply for this residency?

Technical

What prior technical experience do I need for this residency?
How can I connect my project to the 4DSOUND system?
How much technical support is there during the residency?
Can I collaborate with a developer during my residency?
Can I connect with other artists during my residency who are also doing a residency as part of Futures of Listening?

Dissemination

Will the work be publicly presented?
Can projects continue after the residency?
Will the research be published?
How are research or residency outcomes documented?
Can software or tool development become a primary outcome of the residency?
Can developed software or tools become part of the Futures of Listening ecosystem?
How is a successful residency outcome defined?

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