Call for Works /
Artists in Residence

UNM 2022 Reykjavík - Open Call

 
Jump to:

Call for works | Call for artists in residence

Suomen UNM ry (UNM Finland) and UNM Iceland call for composers, musicians, artists and collectives from and/or based in Finland under the age of 30 to participate in the UNM festival in Reykjavík 2022. This year, the application process will be twofold. In the traditional call for works, applicants can submit an existing piece to be showcased at the festival. In this call organised by UNM Finland, 4 works will be selected for the festival. In addition to this, for the 2022 festival, you can apply in a call for artists-in-residence with a letter of motivation. In this call organised by UNM Iceland, 3 individuals will be selected for the artist residency held in March 2022 (be they individual artists or collaborating duos or trios) who will create new works for the festival. Both calls are open from May 3 to June 15 2021.

About the calls

Suomen UNM ry (UNM Finland) and UNM Iceland call for both works and artists-in-residence for the 2022 festival in Reykjavík. UNM is a festival of contemporary music and sound art organised in turn by each of five Nordic countries. UNM was established in 1946, making it one of the oldest festivals of its kind in the world. The festival presents works created by composers and sound artists under 30 years old that are from or based in the Nordic countries. Overall, the festival brings together Nordic artists’ network and varied insight into the current Nordic art music scene.

This year’s call will be twofold. Four works will be selected via the call for works and three applications will be selected for the call for artists-in-residence to create new works to be premiered at the festival. The residency takes place in March 2022 in Reykjavík, Iceland. All musicians and creators are encouraged to apply for the residency, which is specifically catered to artists who work collaboratively, site-specifically, and/or in a multidisciplinary manner. The residency call is open to both individuals and small groups (max. 3 persons) and are both treated as single applicants. Applicants can apply to both calls. If an applicant is selected for both calls, the residency call will be prioritized.

Participants selected to represent Finland will be offered travels and accommodation in Reykjavík. For many past UNM-participants, networking and getting to know Nordic colleagues forms an important part of the festival.

 

Call for works

Suomen UNM ry (UNM Finland) calls for works to be performed at UNM in Reykjavík, 15th - 20th of August 2022. This call is open to any artist or artist collective under the age of 30 who are citizens or residents of Finland. We encourage all creators working within the context of music or sound art to send in works, be they ensemble pieces, solo works, installations, audio-visual works, music theatre, performances, etc. The call is open from May 3 to June 15 2021. The call for works is anonymous and the selection will be made by a three-person jury. The composition of the jury will be announced in autumn 2021 at the same time when the results of the call are announced.

Terms & Conditions

  1. All applicants born on June 15th 1991 or after are eligible for applying. You can also apply if you are a full-time student in the fields of arts or music on June 15th 2021, and you do not have a previous master’s degree in music or the arts. In group applications, all group members must meet the requirements in order for the group to apply.

  2. Applications to the call for scores are sent through the application form. Only applications that are sent through the form will be accepted. All applications must be anonymous and must use pseudonyms. Please ensure that all names, dedications and performer information are erased from all scores, media, metadata, etc.

  3. Applicants will be asked to send personal information in the application form which will only be seen by the boards of UNM and used for administrative purposes. The information will be stored for a maximum of 5 years after which it will be deleted.

  4. In the Finnish call for works, applicants can only participate at the festival every other year. Applicants who participate in the UNM festival in 2021 can’t apply in this year’s call.

  5. UNM consists of Finland, Denmark, Iceland, Norway, Sweden, Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania. Sometimes an applicant can, for some reason, apply on behalf of more than one country. In that case, they are only permitted to apply for one country, else both applications will be disqualified.

  6. A total of 4 works will be selected in the call for works. In addition to this, runner-ups will be announced. If the performance of a selected work is cancelled, a replacement work will be selected from the runner-ups. Attendance is expected from the artist selected to participate in the festival throughout the festival week. The performance of a selected work may be cancelled if the selected artist is unable to attend the festival.

  7. The selection process includes a gender quota which will be realised from two lists - male and non-male. 2 works will be selected from each list.

  8. Each applicant may send a total of 2 works. If an applicant participates in the call as part of a group with a single work, they may participate as an individual with one work. If the applicant's group/collective applies with 2 works in the call, members of the group cannot participate as individuals.

  9. There are no criteria for ensemble size etc. UNM Iceland commits to producing a performance or exhibition of all selected works, however, we can not offer a full symphony orchestra for the 2022 festival. Instead, a flexibly sized sinfonietta will be available.

  10. The application form is opened on May 3 2021 at 00:00 Finnish time. The application deadline is June 15th 2021 at 23:59 Finnish time. After that, the application form will be closed.

LINK FOR APPLICATION HERE

 

Call for Artists-in-residence

UNM Iceland calls for artists or artist collectives that are under 30 years old and are based in or from a Nordic or Baltic country. The call is open to any artist interested in participating in a residency to create new works that will be premiered at the UNM festival in Reykjavik, August 15th - 20th 2022. There is no criteria about artistic practices; artists who fit the aforementioned criteria and are interested in working in the context of music and sound are welcome to apply.

The selected artists will attend a 10-day residency in Reykjavik from 5th-13th of March 2022. Four established artists will support the artists-in-residence as mentors/coaches. Each mentor brings their distinct artistic practice and experience. Selected artists will choose a mentor they wish to work with at the start of the residency. Residency artists are furthermore encouraged to collaborate with other artists-in-residence on their projects.

Artists will be selected based on an anonymous motivation letter. Below is a detailed description of the residency along with artistic statements from each mentor.

Terms & Conditions

  1. Applicants are individuals or 2-3 person groups of collaborating artists.

  2. Applicants shall be born in 1992 or later. They must be citizens or residents of any of the participating UNM countries: Denmark, Estonia, Finland, Iceland, Latvia, Lithuania, Norway, or Sweden.

  3. Applicants will send a detailed, anonymous statement of intent describing their work, methods and how they wish to work during the residency, along with personal details which will only be seen by the boards of UNM and used for administrative purposes.

    1. The statement shall be written in English. We will however accept applications in any official language of the participating countries if English is not an option.

  4. Applicants will be selected by a common jury for all participating countries. Applicants may send in one application. Applicants may participate in a maximum of 5 UNM festivals*

A total of 3 individuals will be selected to represent each delegation of UNM (possible combinations: three individual artists; one individual artist + one duo; one trio, with the exception of the Baltic countries where a maximum of 3 persons can represent the Baltic countries in total, 1 person from each country (Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania).

  1. If circumstances allow, UNM may choose to admit more individuals to the residency but never more than three applicants (individuals, duos or trios) per country. (Example: if a trio is selected, UNM may choose to admit two more individuals in addition).

  2. The selection of artists made by the jury will be altered according to gender quotas if necessary. The total ratio between males and non-males may not exceed 2/1.

  3. Applicants can send in applications to both Call for works and Call for artists-in-residence, as long as the maximum number of works/applications is not exceeded by the limit for the country one applies. (Example: The Swedish rules state that applicants for the Call for works may send in a total of two works - applicants for the Call for artists-in-residence may thus only send 1 work to the call for works). If an applicant is selected for both calls, the residency call will be prioritized.

  4. Selected applicants will travel to Reykjavík and stay in groups of 3-4 in guesthouse apartments in the city, close to workshop facilities. UNM is committed to fully funding travel and accommodation expenses for all applicants. However, we cannot guarantee full funding at this point, but participants may be eligible for various cultural and travel grants. If this turns out to be the case, applicants’ local UNM boards will assist all participants with grant applications.

  5. The application deadline is June 15th 2021 at 23:59 Swedish time (CET)

LINK FOR APPLICATION HERE