Interpreting Isolation - Creative responses to COVID-19

Here at Sound and Music and particularly on the British Music Collection, we feel it is important to capture this moment in our history and to create a space to reflect on COVID-19 and individual responses in a creative way.

--- Please note this call has now closed, we will be announcing the selected projects soon. ---

We are all currently living through unprecedented times that are proving particularly challenging for the creative sector, musicians, composers and musical artists.

Here at Sound and Music and particularly on the British Music Collection, we feel it is important to capture this moment in our history and to create a space to reflect on COVID-19 and individual responses in a creative way.

As a living archive of composers, new music and stories, we want to understand how composers and music creators are responding to these new realities, and to provide some much-needed support for those whose livelihoods are being affected by the current circumstances.

We know many of you are already creating digital content and we want to help you share this more widely.

The opportunity:

Today we’re announcing Interpreting Isolation: 6 x £500 grants for new works that respond creatively to our new lives.   

These works can be created either alone (solo) or with collaborators of your choice (this could be another composer/ musician/ visual artist / filmmaker/ animator/ writer etc.)

The works should respond creatively to themes of isolation, distancing or health, and be deliverable within the current government guidelines around social distancing and gatherings (for instance online on the British Music Collection, or as a digital experience that can be hosted and documented on this site).

The selected works will be launched and hosted on the British Music Collection online and shared via our social channels and newsletters.

For the fee, we are looking for 1-5 minute creative responses (this could be audio, video or novel/collaborative approaches to scoring and sharing work …) If you would like to produce a longer piece of work, you are welcome, but Sound and Music is keen to ensure everyone is paid fairly and properly for their time and work.

The named applicant must be based in the UK.

How to apply:

Apply here: https://www.surveymonkey.co.uk/r/9X3T8C2

Deadline for applications: 12 noon Friday 3rd April

To apply you will need to provide:

  • Your email (so we can get in touch with you)
  • 250 words or a 2 minute video about your idea for this work
  • 250 words or a 2 minute video about your experience including links to previous work if possible

Please note that videos do not need to be you talking to camera. Please apply in whatever way best suits your needs.

All applicants will hear back from us by Wednesday 8th April.