Short Description
The CTM 2026 Radio Lab will support the creation of one new work exploring the intersection of radio and live performance, while also responding to the 2026 festival theme, dissonate < > resonate. The call is open to artists worldwide and relevant to fields of experimental music, sound art, radio art, new radio drama, and performance. The Radio Lab call’s focus is on live performance formats rather than installations.
The commissioned work will premiere at CTM 2026 Festival in Berlin (23 January – 1 February 2026), and will be broadcast in Deutschlandfunk Kultur’s Klangkunst programme in Spring 2026 in the form of a 40–55 minute radio piece. The Österreichischer Rundfunk (Austrian Broadcasting Service) will also present the work via one or more of its platforms: the Ö1 Zeit-Ton or Ö1 Kunst zum Hören radio shows, and/or the ORF musikprotokoll im steirischen herbst festival in Graz (Autumn 2026).
Theme: dissonate < > resonate
Eligibility
The call is open to artists worldwide and relevant to fields of experimental music, sound art, radio art, new radio drama, and performance. The Radio Lab call’s focus is on live performance formats rather than installations.
Submission Requirements
- project description including rough budget (rough breakdown of the project’s costs, for example, collaborator fees, materials purchase, maintenance costs, etc. Maximum 4 pages)
- technical requirements
- your CV (for projects that involve duos or groups, please combine CVs into one pdf document)
How to Apply
Online Application
Program Benefits & Awards
One selected work will be supported by a fee of 5000€. The commission winner is responsible for covering costs relating to the research and creation of the work (eg. collaborator honorariums, specific materials purchase, etc). Technical/staging costs for CTM and for possible presentations at ORF musikprotokoll im steirischen herbst festival will be covered additionally, upon discussion with the respective organisers.
The selected artist(s) will be offered a short residency in January 2026 to finalise their live presentation at CTM 2026. Travel expenses to Berlin and lodging during the residency and festival period will be covered by CTM. Please bear in mind that project proposals involving multiple collaborators are possible, but should aim for a modest travel budget to be seriously considered.
Entry Fee
None
Location
Germany
Timeline
- Application Deadline: 14 September 2025
Website Link: https://www.ctm-festival.de/
