OneBeat Kenya 2025: A Transformative Music Residency for Emerging Artists

Applications at the moment are open for OneBeat Kenya 2025, a dynamic two-and-a-half-week inventive residency that brings collectively 12 artist leaders from East Africa and the United States. This program is designed to foster collaboration, skilled progress, and musical innovation, whereas additionally partaking with native communities to create significant creative exchanges.

About OneBeat Kenya

OneBeat Kenya is an initiative of the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs, produced by Found Sound Nation, with extra assist from the U.S. Embassy in Kenya. It is part of the OneBeat Abroad sequence, an annual residency that brings collectively musicians from totally different international locations to collaborate, discover new musical traditions, and construct cross-cultural connections.

Set in opposition to the inspiring backdrop of Distant Relatives Ecolodge in Kilifi, Kenya, simply exterior Mombasa, the residency will happen from August 20 to September 8, 2025. Over the course of two-and-a-half weeks, members will take part in inventive workshops, grasp lessons, music recording classes, filmmaking initiatives, and neighborhood engagement actions.

Who Should Apply?

OneBeat Kenya is open to musicians from Kenya and the United States who meet the next standards:

• Age: Applicants should be between 19 and 35 years previous.
• Musical Background: Musicians from all backgrounds and genres are inspired to apply. This consists of conventional/people, hip hop, experimental, digital, jazz, classical, sound design, beat-making, multimedia artwork, and extra.
• Community Engagement: Musicians who usually are not solely artists but in addition educators, instrument builders, neighborhood organizers, musicologists, storytellers, videographers, and activists.
• English Proficiency: Applicants ought to be capable to talk in primary English, as will probably be the widespread language of this system.

Key Aspects of OneBeat Kenya

• Collaboration: OneBeat Kenya is concentrated on creating new music by collaboration reasonably than solo performances. Musicians will work throughout genres and cultures to discover new musical potentialities.
• Social Engagement: The program seeks musicians who use their artwork for social affect, whether or not by music schooling, battle decision, reviving musical traditions, or addressing social and political points.
• Innovation: The residency is trying for musicians who show a excessive stage of excellence in efficiency, composition, improvisation, manufacturing, or expertise, and who’re actively innovating inside their musical follow.

What OneBeat Provides

OneBeat Kenya is a totally funded program, protecting all prices for members, together with:

• Travel and lodging
• Daily meals and per diem
• A modest honorarium
• Music recording and efficiency alternatives

Application Process

Applicants shall be required to submit:

• A written assertion about their musical background, pursuits, and future initiatives.
• Three to 5 samples of their work, together with solo and collaborative initiatives (audio or video accepted).

Selection Criteria

Applicants shall be evaluated based mostly on:

• Musical Excellence: High-level abilities in efficiency, composition, improvisation, or manufacturing.
• Collaboration: Willingness to work throughout musical traditions and cultural backgrounds.
• Social Engagement: A demonstrated dedication to utilizing music for social good.
• Innovation: Creativity and originality in musical strategy.

Important Dates

• Application Deadline: February 11, 2025 (5:00 PM EST)
• Notification of Acceptance: May 1, 2025
• Residency Dates: August 20 – September 8, 2025

How to Apply

Interested musicians ought to submit their functions through the OneBeat web site. If you’ve any questions, contact apply@1beat.org for extra info.

Join the Global OneBeat Network

OneBeat Kenya is greater than only a music residency—it’s a platform for innovation, creative exploration, and cross-cultural understanding. Participants will be part of a rising community of OneBeat alumni worldwide, with alternatives for future collaborations and world engagement.

Don’t miss this chance to be part of a transformative musical journey. Apply today and take your artistry to the subsequent stage.

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