EKHO - Sound Artist AiR in Matera/Italy

We are happy to share that the open call for EKHO is now live.

EKHO is our artist residency project, developed within Terre Immerse – Euro-Mediterranean Creative Communities, the residency programme promoted by the Matera Basilicata 2019 Foundation as part of Matera, Mediterranean Capital of Culture and Dialogue 2026.

The project explores the themes of Stratifications and Contaminations, using sound as a medium to make the Mediterranean heritage of Matera's tangible and intangible memory perceptible. Rock-hewn churches, underground chambers, quarries and cisterns harbour an invisible and layered acoustic heritage — just as the city itself is layered and shaped by historical and contemporary migrations that bring with them musical repertoires, instruments, voices and memories.

We are looking for a Sound Artist to join us for a four-week residency in Matera starting 5 October 2026, to develop an original work in sound art / sound design using field recording, IR capture & convolution reverb, sessions with Mediterranean musicians, and participatory open studio events. The work will culminate in a live performance and an editorial release on NEA Editions.

— Artistic fee: €3,300 gross (meals included)
— Travel and accommodation covered by the organisation
— Deadline: 17 July 2026 at 23:59 CET
— Residency start: 5 October 2026
— Duration: 4 weeks

Full project details and application form (Annex 6 on PDF):
https://www.matera-basilicata2019.it/en/bandi-e-avvisi/artistic-residency-programme-call-2-for-artists/

Direct link to the call PDF (Annex 6):
https://www.matera-basilicata2019.it/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/MCCD-26_International-Artistic-Residency-programme-Terre-Immerse-Fase-2_-Terre-Immerse-ENGLISH.pdf