Making Tracks is based around the twin theme of musical traditions and the natural world. Every year we select eight Fellows via our open call for artists. Applicants are asked to write about their musical background and interests, as well as provide some other basic information, including samples of their solo and collaborative work.

Making Tracks take place each Autumn - this year between 19th September and 18th October. It comprises an opening two-week residency at Cove Park on the west coast of Scotland, during which new collaborative works are incubated, followed by a series of 10 public concerts throughout the UK. We also organise youth music workshops in partnership with local schools and Music Education Hubs. It is essential that all potential applicants read more about what we do and the information below on eligibility and selection criteria before applying.

The deadline for applications is the 29th June (23.59 UK time - BST)

Eligibility Information

Artists

We are interested in musicians whose work is connected to musical traditions and/or environmentally-engaged artists (e.g. those working with soundscape field recordings or sound art). Making Tracks is particularly interested in collaboratively-minded music professionals who double up as community organisers, environmentalists, ethnomusicologists, writers, storytellers and more.

Countries

Making Tracks 2022 is open to applicants from the UK and all other regions. The majority of musicians selected, however, will be based in the UK and elsewhere in Europe.

Age

Our focus is on exceptional emerging music professionals. Although we mainly work with artists aged between 19 and 35 years old, we consider all factors carefully and recognise that strict age cut-offs can sometimes be limiting to artist development and equality of opportunity.

Collaboration is key

Making Tracks aims to strike a balance between showcasing solo talent as well as giving musicians the opportunity to collaborate on new projects and explore new musical styles and traditions. For our collaborative component, musicians work together across cultural divides in pursuit of new musical possibilities. Ideally you should already have collaborated with other musicians before.

Making Tracks is environmentally-focused

We are looking for musicians who share our passion for the natural world, draw on it for creative inspiration and/or genuinely care about reducing their environmental impact. You should be open to exploring opportunities for music-based environmental engagement, whether practical, artistic, or both. This year we are introducing an annual environmental theme, to provide additional creative parameters. Our 2022 theme will be 'Birds'.

Making Tracks is not a 'typical' paid event

Making Tracks is a music exchange programme, which pays all expenses on top of a generous artist stipend. While our format is not comparable to a typical paid event, we give fellows a chance to create new collaborative works, perform at leading venues, establish lifelong musical friendships and receive professional development from our team of industry experts.

1. Musical Excellence – A high level of performance, composition, improvisational, production and/or technological skill.
   
2. Collaboration – A willingness to reach across cultural and musical divides in creating original music or re-interpreting traditional music, while respecting the essence of each tradition.
   
3. Environmental Engagement – Musicians who share our passion for nature, draw on it for creative inspiration, and/or care about reducing their environmental impact or spreading awareness of environmental issues such as climate change or biodiversity loss.
   
4. Age – No strict age limit (but generally 19 - 35).
   
5. English Proficiency – Applicants should be able to converse in and understand basic English, as it will be the common language of the Making Tracks programme.
   
6. Internet Proficiency – Making Tracks Fellows should actively use email and have a social media presence and/or an artist website.