Bridging Institutional and Grassroots Practices
During this two-day symposium, we will explore the impact of five years of ‘curating diversity’ in the Sounds Now project and look ahead to the prospects, possibilities, and challenges in developing curatorial practices for new music that embrace diversity. Our programme includes keynotes, panel sessions, and listening sessions that aim to foster meaningful dialogue and exchange.
Themes
One of the central themes we will address is the dialogue between established organisations and grassroots curatorial initiatives. Specifically, we will examine:
- Institutional vs. Grassroots Approaches: The dynamics between established organisations, which aim to incorporate diversity within a structured, often institutionalised framework, and grassroots initiatives that operate with greater flexibility and innovation.
- Inside vs. Outside: What does it mean to be ‘inside’ or ‘outside’ a specific framework? How do different positionalities influence the approach to curating diversity?
- Top-Down vs. Bottom-Up structures: How do top-down and bottom-up approaches to curating diversity differ? What can these different structures learn from each other to foster more inclusive practices?
We believe that the exchange of ideas and experiences between these different perspectives will provide valuable insights and help shape the future of curatorial practices in new music and sound-art. Elsa M’bala, Claudia Molitor, meLê yamomo, Irene Revell and Luc Mishalle are among the artists and speakers lined up for the event.
Schedule
Saturday 19 October 2024, 2:00 – 5:00 pm (Pelt)
You are welcome to explore sound installations that are part of OORtreders in the morning
2:00 pm: Welcome
2:15 pm: Keynote 1 (Luc Mishalle)
3:00 pm: Coffee break
3:30 pm: Long-table 1 “Institutional vs Grassroots Approaches”: The dynamics between established organisations and grassroots initiatives
4:15 pm: Listening Session 1 (Elsa M’bala)
Symposium Dinner
Evening: OORtreders (see programme, including Sounds Now open space Across the Distance – Korpus Quartet & amateur horn players)
11:00 pm: Transfer Pelt-Leuven
Sunday 20 October 2024, 10:30 am – 4:00 pm (Leuven)
10:30 am: Welcome
10:45 am: Keynote 2 (meLê yamomo & Irene Revell)
11:30 am: Long-table 2 “Inside-Outside”: What does it mean to be ‘inside’ or ‘outside’ a specific framework? How do different positionalities influence the approach to curating diversity?
12:30 am: Sounds Now Film screening “The Politics of Participation” by Megan Heilig + Lunch break
The Politics of Participation documents various Sounds Now projects and those who made those projects possible. It is a film essay woven together through a series of interviews, filmed throughout Europe, at some of its most important contemporary music festivals. The film is a reflection on the ethics and critical questions of participatory projects, how to curate diversity, what is meant by inclusivity and how to have greater transparency about who is programmed on stage and why. More than anything, the film is a celebration of the work, voices and minds that made Sounds Now possible.
1:45 pm: Listening Session 2 (Claudia Molitor)
3:00 pm: Coffee break
3:30 pm: Concluding remarks
Evening: Transit (see programme, including Sounds Now production I Solisti & Spectra)
Transportation will be provided between the two locations.
Registration
To register for this event, or if you have any questions, please email us at: symposium.soundsnow@gmail.com
