Corn Exchange partnership launches Sound and the Outdoors, a programme of industry events aimed at artists, academics, commissioners, presenters and public space bodies

IN an exciting collaboration, Corn Exchange and 101 Outdoor Arts have formed a partnership with The Royal Central School of Speech and Drama (Central), and their new Centre for Performance, Technology and Equity (PTEQ).

This partnership has been launched after a £5.6m grant from Research England, and also includes Oxford Contemporary Music and presents a new programme of industry events aimed at artists, academics, commissioners, presenters and public space bodies entitled Sound and the Outdoors.

The Sound and the Outdoors programme comprises two fantastic events hosted at 101 Outdoor Arts, exploring sound art in outdoor spaces and its ability to reach audiences and transform locations.

The first will be the site and sound symposium (June 3), bringing together artists and designers to research how performance and sound art can interact with the public in outdoor spaces. This will explore how the use of sound-led practice outdoors can create experiential opportunities for a variety of audiences to access arts, culture and collective memory. Notable speakers include Anne Bean (Bow Gamelan Ensemble), composer and theatre-maker Melanie Wilson (all of it; The Royal Court Theatre), award-winning conductor Charles Hazlewood (Paraorchestra), and many more.

Throughout the day there will also be insightful practical demonstrations and academic panels. Following this will be the Base Frequencies Lab (4th – 6th June), a three-day creative lab designed as a collaborative space for theorists and practitioners to share their ideas and skills in outdoor sound.

Participants will have access to 101 Outdoor Arts’ exceptional facilities, as well as the opportunity to engage with outdoor sites across natural and built environments. This exciting collaboration has already resulted in 101 Outdoor Arts and Central co-hosting a PhD aimed at exploring how the use of technology in outdoor arts can engage more people in cultural experiences.

Simon Chatterton, 101 Strategic Lead, comments, This collaboration is a great opportunity for us to bring together the specialist strengths of 101 Outdoor Arts and The Royal Central School of Speech and Drama to create events which are exciting and valuable to both the cultural sector and academic practice. .