In partnership with IKLECTIK and East Street Arts, we invite applications from sound artists and musicians based in Yorkshire and nearby areas for a two-day spatial sound mentoring programme on 13 and 15 May 2026 at Patrick Studios in Leeds.
The programme will support 10 participants in developing skills in 3D sound and spatial audio technologies, with a focus on composition and live performance, guided by experienced artists and the IKLECTIK team.
We welcome applications from artists working with sound, as well as musicians across all genres, who have a basic working knowledge of audio software such as Reaper, Ableton Live, or Envelop4Live, and some experience in composition or live performance.
This is an intermediate-level programme. If you are new to spatial sound, more related events will be announced soon. Please stay updated by visiting our website and following our social media channels.
Submission deadline: 28 April 2026, 11:59pm.
About IKLECTIK
Founded in London in 2014, IKLECTIK has built an international reputation for presenting work that sits between music, performance, technology and research. We support artists working at the edges of form — where sound becomes spatial, performance fills the space, and audiences are invited into new ways of listening.
IKLECTIK is one of the few grassroots organisations in the UK developing work with multi-channel and three-dimensional audio systems, enabling artists to compose in space, not just in stereo.
Move sound through and around audiences.
Explore listening as a physical and emotional experience.
For us, sound is not background. It is architecture. It is the environment. It is something you step inside.
About East Street Arts
East Street Arts believes that artists can affect positive change, and it is our mission to support them by providing affordable space for artists to practise, delivering bespoke artist development and sector research, curating a public programme of engagement, and hosting at the UK’s first Art Hostel, designed entirely by artists.
Mentoring Programme
Day 1 – Wednesday 13 May
Composition & Listening
You’ll be welcomed into the group and introduced to the programme. During the session, you will:
- Share your current work and approach with the group
- Take part in guided listening sessions exploring how sound can be composed, positioned, and moved across multiple speakers
- Begin developing material for multichannel environments using Reaper and IEM plugins
- Explore spatial composition through the positioning, movement, and layering of sound in 3D space
Independent Work – Thursday 14 May
Between the two sessions, you will continue developing your work independently, working remotely in preparation for Day 2.
Day 2 – Friday 15 May
Live Spatial Practice & Public Sharing
This session focuses on real-time spatial workflows and live performance. During the session, you will:
- Explore how spatial sound can be controlled and performed in real time, including routing, automation, and live movement of sound
- Develop and refine your piece for a multichannel setup
- Test and adapt your work in the space with support from the artists and technical team
- Present a short work (1–3 minutes) in a public listening session
Through this opportunity, you will have:
- Hands-on experience with a rare 16-channel, 3rd-order Ambisonics sound system
- Support from IKLECTIK to develop a new spatial sound work
- The chance to present your work at a public listening session
- A per diem for the two mentoring days
- Return train travel to and from Leeds for both in-person sessions
This mentoring programme is free for participants.
Please note that the independent work between the two sessions will be conducted remotely.
We will provide same-day return train tickets for both in-person mentoring days at East Street Arts in Leeds, so applicants should be based within a reasonable train travel distance of Leeds.
Application Eligibility
- Be based in Yorkshire or within around one hour of Leeds by train, such as Manchester
- Have an active sound or music practice in any genre, including but not limited to noise, dance, experimental sound, jazz, or Afrobeats
- Show a clear interest in developing their practice in spatial sound
- Be interested in sharing work, learning alongside others, and taking part in a group mentoring environment
- Be able to explain how this opportunity would benefit their sound production and musical development
- Be aged 18 or over
We particularly welcome applicants from diverse backgrounds, including Black, Asian and Ethnically Diverse and Disabled people, and those who are underrepresented in the sector.
Timeline
13 April 2026: Applications open
28 April 2026: Applications close
1 May 2026: Applicants notified of outcome
13 May 2026: Day 1 – Composition & Listening
14 May 2026: Independent work
15 May 2026: Day 2 – Live Spatial Practice & Public Sharing
Submission Information
If you are interested in this mentoring programme and wish to apply, please complete and submit an application via Google Forms, including the following:
- A short statement introducing your sound or music practice and explaining why you would like to take part in this mentoring programme (up to 150 words)
- A short statement explaining how you meet the eligibility criteria and how this opportunity would support your development (up to 150 words)
- A copy of your CV or artist biography
- Up to 3 links to examples of your work, such as SoundCloud, Bandcamp, Spotify, YouTube, Vimeo, or your website. These should be your recent sound or music work that best represents your practice.
Click here to submit an application via Google Forms.
Applications submitted outside the application form will not be accepted. If you need to apply in another format, such as a video or a voice note, due to access requirements, please contact: info@platformasia.org.uk
AI
We understand that AI can be a helpful tool when putting together an application. If you use AI to help write your application, please make sure your responses stay true to your own ideas, experience, and practice.
The mentoring programme is supported by the Arts Council England and Goldsmiths, University of London.
