Organizer Information
British Council, the UK’s international organisation for cultural relations and educational opportunities, delivers programmes that build connections, understanding and collaboration between the UK and communities worldwide. Its arts programme supports international creative exchange across disciplines and regions. Sounds Unseen is delivered in partnership with Sound and Music (UK), an organisation supporting composers, sound artists and music creators through commissions, artist development and professional opportunities. The second year of the programme builds on the 2025–26 edition, expanding its cross-cultural collaboration model and introducing legacy outputs designed to extend the impact of commissioned works beyond their initial broadcast.
Title & Description
Sounds Unseen – New Music Commissioning Programme
Sounds Unseen – New Music Commissioning Programme invites selected creators from Germany and eligible Official Development Assistance (ODA)-listed countries to collaborate across cultures and create a new work for radio broadcast. The programme is open to artistic practices working creatively with sound and/or music, regardless of genre.
For its second year, the programme supports ten creators who will work through international collaboration and structured artist development. Each participant will be paired with a creator they have not previously worked with, encouraging new artistic relationships and cross-cultural exchange.
A new element for 2026–27 is the development of one to three legacy outputs alongside the commissioned radio work. These may include educational workshops, local showcase events, extended EP releases or documentary films, depending on the creator’s practice and local context.
Categories
- Music
- Sound Art
- Experimental Music
- Audio / Radio
- Cross-disciplinary sound practices
- Composition and music creation
Eligibility
- Be 18 or older on 14 October 2026.
- Be based in Germany or one of the eligible ODA-listed countries.
- Have an artistic practice involving sound and/or music, in any genre.
- Be willing to collaborate with a creator they have not previously worked with.
- Be interested in developing new work in a cross-cultural context.
- Be interested in creating work for radio broadcast.
- Be available for all required online programme sessions.
Eligible ODA countries include Argentina, Bangladesh, Cuba, Egypt, India, Kazakhstan, Kenya, Nigeria, Pakistan, Tanzania, Turkey, Ukraine, Uzbekistan and Zimbabwe. UK participation is limited to eligible Sound and Music alumni through a closed call.
Program Benefits & Awards
- £1,500 commission fee
- Up to £200 for production expenses
- Up to £500 towards legacy outcomes
- Four online group sessions with UK-based facilitator Dawn Scarfe
- Three online sessions with a Creative Programme Leader (CPL), in pairs
- Two one-to-one online CPL sessions
- Peer support through the international creator community
- Artistic portfolio development
- A radio broadcast premiere
- Access support where required
The three-month programme provides structured support from Sound and Music and British Council teams throughout the development process.
Application Fee
None
How to Apply
Online Application
Key Dates
- Application Deadline: 14 October 2026
- Access Extension Application Deadline: 21 October 2026
- Selection Period: 22 October–10 November 2026
- Applicants Notified: 11 November 2026
- Meet the Team: 23 November 2026
- Online Session 1: 25 November 2026
- Online Session 2: 9 December 2026
- Online Session 3: 13 January 2027
- Online Session 4: 3 February 2027
- Radio Commissions Completed: 24 February 2027
- Public Radio Broadcast, Legacy Outputs & Evaluation Session: March 2027
Location
United Kingdom
Additional Details
The programme requires participants to commit to the scheduled online sessions. Session times will be agreed with selected creators to accommodate different time zones. Activities planned for March 2027 will be confirmed with selected creators and programme partners. The selection timeline may change if the organisers receive an exceptionally high number of applications.