(for English please scroll down)

Ansøgningsfrist: 15. april 2026

Svar: Primo Maj 2026

Aarhus Billedkunstcenter og Sound Art Lab søger professionelle kunstnere til at udvikle projekter til Platform for Lydkunst udstillingsprogram for 2027. Vi søger 2 kunstnere til udstillinger af ca. 5-6 mdrs varighed. Platform for Lydkunst er en ny platform for lydkunst i det offentlige rum på Sydhavnen i Aarhus. Platformen er placeret under Havnesporet, en højbane til transport af gods fra Aarhus containerhavn, som udgør Sydhavnskvarterets nordlige afgrænsning. 

Platform for Lydkunst er en del af et samlet udstillingsprogram for midlertidig kunst i Sydhavnen, som også tæller et udstillingsvindue i Kunstpassagen, en passage under opførelse i det nye distrikt. Programmet bringer samtidskunst i spil som medskaber af et nyt urbant kvarter. I 2027 fokuserer programmet på byen som en levende, kollektiv organisme. Det kaster et blik på byen som mere end fysiske rum, bygninger og infrastrukturer. Som noget der konstant er i gang med at blive til. 

Vi søger kunstnere, der ønsker at undersøge hvilket kunstnerisk potentiale lyd har for at forme og intervenere i urbane rum. Derfor lægger programmet op til, at de værker, der bliver produceret, forholder sig aktivt til den konkrete fysiske og sociale kontekst, som platformen er placeret i. Mulige spørgsmål til inspiration: hvordan påvirker lydlige landskaber fysiske rum? Hvordan forstærker de, eller forstyrrer, vores opmærksomhed? Hvordan forandrer lyd vores virkelighed? Hvordan påvirker lyd vores oplevelse af tid, og vores kropslige oplevelse af at bevæge os i rum? 

Om Sydhavnen
Sydhavnen er et tidligere industriområde på Aarhus havnefront, som nu er omdannet til et nyt bynært kvarter. Det nye Sydhavnen kombinerer erhverv, uddannelse og producerende kultur og kunst. Indtil 1990’erne var Sydhavnen sted for energiproduktion. Bydelen er således tæt vævet sammen med Aarhus’ udvikling til moderne storby. Efter udflytningen af el- og varmeproduktion har området tiltrukket kunstnere og kreative aktører, og er også blevet et tilhørssted for socialt udsatte borgere. På Sydhavnen er der stadig industri i form af AAK, tidligere Aarhus Oliemølle, som siden slutningen af 1800-tallet har produceret vegetabilsk olie. 

Teknisk beskrivelse af platformen
Platformen består af fire permanent installerede højtalere, som tilsammen danner et kvadrat, der måler 4x4 m i diameter. Højtalerne er vinklet mod underlaget, således at lyden reflekteres mod underlaget og skaber en særlig fortættet lyttesituation (se fotos). Det fysiske setup muliggør kvadrofonisk afspilning. Hver af de fire kanaler kan tilpasses individuelt. Indhold til udstillingen skal afleveres i form af fire separate mono MP3-filer (320 kbps eller højere anbefales).

Hvem kan søge?
Alle professionelle kunstnere med en interesse i stedsspecifik praksis og det offentlige urbane rum. 

Ansøgning
Ansøgningen skal indeholde:

1. En motivation for, hvorfor du gerne vil udvikle et projekt til dette sted. Gerne med fokus på, hvordan du vil forholde dig til den urbane kontekst. (max 1 A4 side). Der forventes ikke færdige projektforslag.

2. Max 3 eksempler på relevante værker (lydklip skal sendes som zip fil)

3. Et kort CV f (max 1 A4 pr. kunstner)

Alt materialet skal sendes som én samlet pdf. til denne adresse: projektkoordinator@aabkc.dk 

Ansøgninger skal være modtaget senest onsdag den 15.4. kl. 12.00 dansk tid. 

Ansøgere kan forvente svar i starten af maj.

Vilkår
Der vil være et udstillingshonorar på 25000 dkr. per udvalgt projekt. Eventuel deltagelse i offentlige events vil blive udbetalt som ekstra honorar. Kunstnerne kan selv søge om produktionsmidler. Aarhus Billedkunstcenter kan tilbyde assistance til ansøgningsproces for produktionsstøtte. Aarhus Billedkunstcenter søger midler til at dække yderligere udstillingsudgifter.

Udvælgelsesproces
En jury, der består af kunstfaglige repræsentanter fra Aarhus Billedkunstcenter og Sound Art Lab udvælger projekter for 2027. 

Institutionel forankring

Udstillingsprogrammet for 2027 er forankret i Aarhus Billedkunstcenter og medkurateret af Sound Art Lab, Struer, samt Det Jyske Kunstakademi. Bylivsforeningen Sammen om Sydhavnen støtter projektet. 

Spørgsmål kan rettes til: projektkoordinator@aabkc.dk 

Billeder:
1-3: Platform for Lydkunst under havnesporet, Sydhavnen, ©AaBKC

 

ENGLISH:
Open Call: Platform for Sound Art

Deadline for submission: April 15th 2026

Notification of decision: Early May 2026

Aarhus Center for Visual Art and Sound Art Lab invite professional artists to develop projects to Platform for Sound Art, exhibition programme 2027. Platform for Sound Art is a new platform for sound art in public space, located in Sydhavnen in Aarhus. Platform for Sound Art is situated under Havnesporet, a highline for the transportation of goods from Aarhus container port. Havnesporet forms the northern edge to the neighbourhood. 

Platform for Sound Art is part of an exhibition programme for temporary art in Sydhavnen, which also includes a small exhibition display in the future Kunstpassage, an outdoor corridor into the newly redeveloped Sydhavnen. The programme positions contemporary art as a co-creator of a new urban district. In 2027 the programme focuses on the city as a living, collective organism. It frames the city as more than physical spaces, buildings, and infrastructures. As a thing which constantly is in the process of coming into being. 

We are looking for artists who are interested in exploring the artistic potential of sound in shaping and co-producing urban spaces. For this reason, the program encourages participating artists to actively consider the physical and social context in which the platform is situated. Possible questions for inspiration are: how do sound-based landscapes affect spaces? How do they intensify, or disturb, our attention? How does sound change reality? And how does sound affect our experience of time and our embodied sensation of moving through space? 

Urban context
Sydhavnen is a former industrial port area in Aarhus, which has undergone redevelopment into a new urban district. The new Sydhavnen combines business development, a university campus, and art and cultural production. Until the mid 1990s, Sydhavnen was a site for energy production. The district is thus closely connected to the development of Aarhus into a modern city. Following the relocation of electricity and heating production, the area became an attractive spot for artists and creative start-ups. Also, shelters and hostels for socially vulnerable people have turned the area into a socially diverse neighbourhood. Industry is still present at Sydhavnen as AAK, formerly Aarhus Oil Mill, founded in the late 19th century, continues to produce vegetable oils at their plant in Sydhavnen.

Technical description of the platform
The platform consists of four permanently installed loudspeakers positioned in a square of 4x4 meters. The loudspeakers are tilted slightly downwards making the sound reflect on the pavement for an optimised yet non-standard listening experience (see photos). The setup allows for quadraphonic playback. Each of the channels can be individually adjusted. The format of exhibited works must be delivered as four separate mono MP3 sound files (320 kbps or higher is recommended).  

Who are eligible?
Professional artists with an interest in site-specific practices and public space. 

Application
The application must include:

1. A motivation stating why you want to develop a project for this place. The motivation should include a short reflection about how you intend to approach the urban context. (max one A4 page). We do not expect the application to present a concrete project proposal. 

2. Maximum 3 examples of earlier relevant works (sound excerpt must be forwarded as zip-file)

3. A short CV (maximum one A4 page per artist).

All relevant material must be formatted as a single PDF file and directed via email to the following address: projektkoordinator@aabkc.dk 

The application must be submitted by Wednesday April 15th at 12.00 (UTC+2)

Notification of decision can be expected in the beginning of May.

Terms 
The selected artists will receive an exhibition fee of 25000 DKK per selected project. Possible additional activities, such as participation in public events, will be paid as extra fees. The artists can apply for any additional funding for production expenses. Aarhus Center for Visual Art offers counseling to the application process for additional funding. Aarhus Center for Visual Art is fundraising to secure further exhibition expenses. 

Selection process
A jury consisting of art professionals from Aarhus Center for Visual Art and Sound Art Lab will be evaluating and selecting projects for the program. 

Institutional anchoring
The 2027 exhibition programme is initiated by Aarhus Center for Visual Art, co-curated by Sound Art Lab, Struer and supported by the community association: Together in Sydhavnen.

For further information, please contact Aarhus Center for Visual Art at: projektkoordinator@aabkc.dk 

Application
The application must include:

1. A motivation stating why you want to develop a project for this place. The motivation should include a short reflection about how you intend to approach the urban context. (max one A4 page). We do not expect the application to present a concrete project proposal. 

2. Maximum 3 examples of earlier relevant works (sound excerpt must be forwarded as zip-file)

3. A short CV (maximum one A4 page per artist).

All relevant material must be formatted as a single PDF file and directed via email to the following address: projektkoordinator@aabkc.dk 

The application must be submitted by Wednesday April 15th at 12.00 (UTC+2)

Notification of decision can be expected in the beginning of May.

Terms 
The selected artists will receive an exhibition fee of 25000 DKK per selected project. Possible additional activities, such as participation in public events, will be paid as extra fees. The artists can apply for any additional funding for production expenses. Aarhus Center for Visual Art offers counseling to the application process for additional funding. Aarhus Center for Visual Art is fundraising to secure further exhibition expenses. 

Selection process
A jury consisting of art professionals from Aarhus Center for Visual Art, Sound Art Lab, and Jutland Art Academy will be evaluating and selecting projects for the program. 

Institutional anchoring
The 2027 exhibition programme is initiated by Aarhus Center for Visual Art, co-curated by Sound Art Lab, Struer and supported by the community association: Together in Sydhavnen.

For further information, please contact Aarhus Center for Visual Art at: projektkoordinator@aabkc.dk