Ear to the Earth: Residency Programme

 

Located in Collingwood Mohua/Golden Bay, Aotearoa/New Zealand, Ear to the Earth Studio overlooks the stunning Kahurangi National Park and is within 30 minutes’ drive of Able Tasman National Park. Its special location offers sonic artists a unique opportunity to interface with and learn from nature as part of their residency programmes. Recipients are provided with comfortable and private accommodation, diet-specific locally sourced food, transportation (a car), guided field trips, technical assistance, facilitation of creative ideas, as well as access to a state-of-the-art multichannel audio production facility and art-making space. There are no output requirements associated with the residency beyond the expectation that artists will give back to the local community in some small way (a talk, open studio, or other contribution as negotiated).   

 

Details

• The residency programme is open to individuals and couples who identify as sonic artists. It is not limited to New Zealand artists and welcomes international applicants.

• The duration of the residency would normally not exceed 14 days, but may be negotiated for longer/shorter periods, and may occur at any time to suit the availability of the applicant(s).

• The residency will be offered annually, with a long-term view of increasing the number of offerings to four per year.

• Applicants must have an established track record (nationally and/or internationally) in the field of sonic arts or associated creative disciplines.

• The progamme is unique in New Zealand as it provides on hands-on facilitation of artists’ bespoke requirements as negotiated. This may take several forms including:

  • Technical assistance in studio operation (hardware/software, etc)

  • Facilitation of creative ideas in the form of applied theoretical approaches. N.B. This aspect of support draws on the facilitator’s 30-years of experience as a university lecturer and his 250-page book Ear to the Earth: A Guide to Artmaking with Sound, which addresses the following sub-topics:  Modes of Listening, Expressive Musical Ideas, Abstract Musical Ideas, Meaningful Creative Ideas, Structural Principles, Audio-Visual Relationships, Performative Agents, Spatial Forms, and The Creative Process.

  • The residency offers guided field trips focused on exploring nature’s patterns for artmaking purposes. Surrounding natural areas include: Wharariki Beach, Onetahua (Farewell Spit), The Kaituna Valley, The Upper Aorere River, Rawhiti Cave, Wainui Falls, and Totoranui Beach.

  • The provision of heathly food, daily sound therapy and meditation sessions, within a peaceful natural environment, ensures the health and wellbeing of all recipients, allowing 100% commitment to artistic development and practice.

• The cost of the residency is $400NZ per day, which is competitive with other accommodation (only) options in the area. Couples should add $100 per day to cover ancillary expenses.

• There are no output requirements associated with the residency beyond the expectation that artists will give back to the local community in some small way (a talk, open studio, or other contribution as negotiated).

• The 2026 residency has already been filled. Application forms for the 2027 round will be available at www.eartotheearth.nz website from 1 April 2026, or expressions of interest may be made at any time via the contact page.