Sónar and the UPC looking for projects for the S+T+ARTS AI and Music Festival: call open until 11 June

The UPC and Sónar are looking for projects that explore the intersections between music and artificial intelligence for the programme of the 2021 S+T+ARTS AI and Music Festival, which will take place in October. The international call runs from 26 May to 11 June and was launched within the framework of the S+T+ARTS AI and Music programme of the European Commission.

Jun 08, 2021

Within the framework of the S+T+ARTS AI and Music programme of the European Commission, the Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya · BarcelonaTech (UPC) and Sónar have issued an international call aimed at musicians, researchers and AI specialists. The call is searching for performances, tools, software and research and co-creation projects that explore the intersections between music of all genres and artificial intelligence (AI). The selected projects will be showcased at the S+T+ARTS AI & Music Festival, which will take place in Barcelona on 27 and 28 October.

Taking on a number of different formats, both online and in person, in order to represent a broad range of approaches towards the connections between AI and music, the festival will feature live panels and keynotes, pre-recorded shows and online workshops. Sónar and the UPC are looking for projects currently in development that can be adapted to any of the above formats and that have a clear link between music of any genre and AI or machine learning.

Selected proposals will form part of the festival programme and will receive economic compensation for their participation.

Projects must meet the eligibility criteria and can be submitted in English, Spanish or Catalan, from anywhere in the world. Research and musical proposals must be submitted before Friday 11 June using the corresponding form. Before applying, you should read the participation requirements, which are listed below:

  • Proposals that are not related to the topic of AI and music will not be considered.

  • Projects should be in an advanced stage of development at the time of applying. Only production costs related to the staging of the performance at the festival will be covered. There is no dedicated production budget.

  • We will only consider performances ready to be presented on a stage or as a 20-minute video capsule as part of the festival’s online Proposals for installations and other experiences that cannot be adapted to these formats will not be considered.

  • We welcome proposals in English, Spanish and Catalan from all around the world.

  • After submitting the form, you cannot edit your application.

What kind of projects are we looking for?

We are looking for projects that fit into one of the following categories and formats:

  • Live performances with AI and music; AI as applied to voice, instruments, dance and movement. The format should be a concert or a show of between 15-30 minutes, able to be performed on stage or as a video capsule for the festival’s online programme.

  • Research projects that can be presented in a workshop or as a keynote or panel discussion at the festival.

  • Technology (software or hardware) that can be presented through a talk, a demo or a workshop to be hosted at the festival. While we are looking for projects in an advanced stage of development, experimental technologies are very welcome.

Who can apply?

  • Artists, musicians (every musical genre is welcome) or teams of researchers, scientists, engineers, professors, designers, software developers and DIYers. Basically everyone and anyone who is playing and experimenting with music and AI.

Why apply?

Selected projects, chosen by a board consisting of members from Sónar and the UPC, will receive the following benefits:

  • The project will be showcased in the programme of the S+T+ARTS AI and Music Festival, which is organised by Sónar and the UPC and will be held in Barcelona on 27 and 28 October, either in-person at the festival or as part of the online programme.

  • Selected projects will be awarded economic compensation for their participation.

  • Travel aid to cover for plane tickets and/or accommodation to come to Barcelona (fixed amount, regardless the location).

  • A chance to network with other participants in the festival.

  • Exposure and visibility of your project both on site and online, amplified through Sónar and the AI and Music Festival partners’ channels.