Call for Applications: Hearing Artists working with music/sound
April 16, 2026
Take part in a special residency program!
The Music Gallery, Phoenix the Fire and VibraFusionLab are inviting hearing artists based in Ontario whose practice focuses on music and sound to apply to participate in a special residency program in September 2026. Five selected participants will each collaborate with a Deaf artist, support their creative ideas, and experiment with haptic technologies through a multi-day residency.
This program aims to support the development of collaborative models for creation and performance between Deaf and hearing artists, inspire new ideas, and enhance the facilitation of programs that support Deaf artists. Deaf artists were invited to apply through a separate submission form that closed on April 6, 2026.
Your role:
Hearing artists selected as residency participants will work openly with a collaborating partner during the five day residency. The nature and outcome of this residency will be open-ended as collaborating duos co-conspire, co-develop and co-create new artistic works. This process will emphasize discovery and be led by the Deaf artists. Hearing artists will bring their technical and creative skills, prioritizing curiosity, dialogue, and responsiveness.
Participants are not expected to produce a finished work. Our aim is to provide conditions that are optimal for the participants to create together (in ways that may seed future work), and through their feedback make improvements to Music Gallery’s programming.
Application requirements:
Submit the following information through the online form below:
- Basic contact information
- Short responses to these prompts (combined maximum 800 words, roughly 4,500 characters):
- Tell us about your music/sound practice, and what excites you about your work/process.
- Tell us about your experience with, and/or interest in:
- multi-disciplinary collaboration.
- collaborating and building relationships with Deaf artists/communities.
- adaptive technologies (such as vibrotactile/haptic equipment).
- Artist biography or CV/resume (PDF)
- Links to samples of your work (soundcloud, bandcamp, youtube, etc)
Deadline: Wednesday, April 29 (11:59 PM EDT)
The online submission form will close at this time
Required availability for selected artists:
- ASL Instruction: Weekly on Tuesdays from 10am-1pm starting June 2 and ending on August 4 (10 sessions total).
- Location: 918 Bathurst, Toronto
- Residency: Monday, September 14 – Friday, September 18 (10:00am-4:00pm)
- Location: Social Art Studio Space, 180 Shaw Street (lower level), Toronto
What participants will receive:
- Workshop fee: $2,500 CAD paid to the artist to participate in the residency and provide program feedback (this amount can be paid out in multiple installments in coordination with the participant)
- ASL Training honorarium: $500 CAD
- Meals: Lunches, snacks, and refreshments provided during residency
- Additional subsidies: Subsidies for travel, family care, and other expenses will be offered and can be discussed following the selection process
Additional staffing and resources:
The project will include some specific resources and support staff to assist participants:
- ASL interpretation on site during residency
- Technician support
- Haptic equipment (multiple Woojer Belts and Pillows, one 4’ x 4’ Vibrotactile floor)
- Basic audio equipment, instruments
- Rental of additional equipment can be discussed during planning process
We will integrate newly acquired adaptive equipment (listed above, produced by VibraFusionLab) into our production infrastructure. These devices use surface transducers that convert audio signals into vibrations. A Deaf artist and a hearing artist can use this gear in order to interact in real time. Each device will serve different purposes and we will invite Deaf artists to try out multiple devices during the week.
VibraFusionLab team members will also be on site during the residency to offer assistance.
Social Art Studio Space (S.A.S.S.) is located at 180 Shaw Street. The venue has ramp access, powered doors, and an elevator. Visitors can use the elevator to access the Lower Level. There is a powered door at the entrance to S.A.S.S., and the space has two accessible, all gender washrooms (one single stall, and the other with two stalls).
918 Bathurst is located at 918 Bathurst Street. The venue has several physical access barriers (3 steps to the main entrance, no powered doors, indoor staircases up and down to program spaces, and washrooms in the basement).
Please contact us with any questions about venue and access needs.
- April: Call for Applications from Hearing Artists
- April: Selection of Deaf participants (applying through a separate call)
- Early May: Deaf participants provide input on selection of hearing artists (who will act as their collaborators)
- June-early August: Hearing artists participate in ASL instruction course facilitated by Courage Bacchus (Hands on ASL!).
- July-August: additional Residency planning (conducted remotely by email or video conference)
- September: Residency program takes place (5 days, in person)
- October-December: Public workshops (opportunity for artist participation, TBD)
I live outside of Ontario. Am I eligible to apply, and would subsidies cover inter-provincial travel?
This project is intended for Ontario-based hearing artists. Due to the increased in-person commitment for hearing artists, they must be able to travel easily to and from, or within Toronto.
I am already collaborating with a Deaf artist, can we apply together?
This project is prioritizing new collaborative relationships, but we are open to submissions from hearing artists who have existing Deaf collaborators. Our call for Deaf artists is closed at this point, and unless your collaborator applied at the time, we cannot consider them for this current residency program.
I am already proficient with ASL, would the ASL sessions still be a requirement for me?
We can likely modify this requirement if you are proficient in ASL, and would make that assessment in partnership with Courage Bacchus. The lessons with Courage will also address Deaf culture and related topics which can offer new insights for your work in the residency.
Am I required to have existing experience with haptic equipment to apply?
You do not need to have any existing experience with haptic equipment to apply.
Is there a way to divide up the participation fee into multiple payments?
Yes, participants can discuss the best options for receiving their participation fee. The Music Gallery is aiming to complete all project related payments by January 2027.
Who will be involved in reviewing my application?
Members of the Music Gallery program team will review and prepare a short list of candidates. The Deaf artists selected for participation in the residency will help guide the final decision.
You can send questions about the program to matthew@musicgallery.org
