CMC/DMARC Sonic Arts Residency
The Digital Media and Arts Research Centre (DMARC) is delighted to announce a new composer in residency programme in collaboration with the Contemporary Music Centre, Ireland.
The CMC/DMARC Sonic Arts Residency offers an exciting opportunity for Irish and international composers and sound artists to develop their creative practice and foster experimentation using the University of Limerick’s world-class facilities.
These include:
- The Electronic Music Studio (EMS) featuring both digital and analogue workflows, including a bespoke Buchla 200e
- A 32-channel immersive sound lab (SpADE) and a makerspace to support electronics and fabrication requirements
- The facility also provides a range of well-equipped recording studios with a wide selection of microphones and production hardware and software
About DMARC and the EMS
DMARC is located at the Computer Science and Information Systems Department at the University of Limerick. The University of Limerick campus is a strikingly beautiful location that stretches across 130 hectares along the River Shannon and features a state-of-the-art library, Ireland’s largest concert hall and diverse opportunities in both culture and sports.
DMARC has a long history of supporting the digital arts, electronic music and computer aided composition. These include hosting the 2022 International Computer Music Conference, the 2020 International Conference on Live Coding, offering the Diffusion Prize (with RTÉ Lyric FM) and working as technology partner with Light Moves Festival (with Dance Limerick).
EMS was launched in 2024 and features a range of digital and analogue instruments with a Buchla 200e as the studios’ centrepiece.
Programme Details:
- Residency placements will be offered during the following periods:
- 9 September - 9 December 2025
- 26 January - 26 June 2026
- Each residency will last 10 working days. Additional time may be requested where this does not incur additional costs (see below)
- A travel bursary will be provided up to €350
- An accommodation bursary will be provided up to €1,400 (ten nights) and DMARC will work with the artist in identifying suitable accommodation options
- An honorarium of €1,000 is provided by the Contemporary Music Centre
- There will be an outreach / presentation element to the residency. This will include:
- A one hour talk/performance that provides the community of students and researchers at DMARC with an insight into their practice
- The artist may also be offered the opportunity to contribute about the residency and their work to the Contemporary Music Centre’s website or podcast
The residency programme will run from 2025-28 and will support a total of 4 Irish and 2 international artists.
Assessment:
Candidates will be selected through an online application form that includes submission of a CV, work samples, and a creative proposal.
Assessment will be based on the following criteria:
- The artistic quality of the applicant’s proposal
- How the residency opportunity could support the candidate’s current career stage and artistic goals
- Balanced representation of genres, gender, and geographical regions is a consideration.
Apply now:
To apply for this residency, please complete the ONLINE APPLICATION FORM.
Closing Date: 1 AUGUST 2025. Late applications will not be accepted.
This form requires basic applicant information, and your creative proposal (250 words) for the residency which should also detail any technical requirements.
If you have questions about the application process, please contact: jurgen.simpson@ul.ie / jgrimes@cmc.ie
Applications will be jointly assessed by representatives from DMARC and the Contemporary Music Centre.
