National accessArts Centre - sound.colLAB 2.0 Application

PROGRAM DESCRIPTION

sound.colLAB 2.0 is an exciting paid opportunity for artists with disabilities to partner with a world-renowned composer to create an anthemic orchestral piece.

In the first edition of the sound.colLAB project (2020-2022), seven artists identifying as neurodivergent or as having a disability co-created an original piece of music with support from JUNO-award nominated composer Bekah Simms, Xenia Concerts, the award-winning Rolston String Quartet, and the NaAC. The result was 'Seven Miniatures': a seven movement score performed by the Rolston String Quartet. You can watch the performance here.

sound.colLAB 2.0 will be the second iteration of the sound.colLAB project. This time, participants will collaborate and weave their individual musical ideas and lived experiences into a single anthemic composition for a full orchestra with the support of a professional composer signed to Deutsche Grammophon, a major global record label. Participating artists will each receive an honorarium between $3K-$5K for their contributions to the project (exact amount TBD).

First, the selected group of artists will share musical ideas and personal experiences to serve as raw material and inspiration for the composition. Once a creative direction has been agreed upon by the group, they will partner with a professional composer to bring their ideas to life. Across an iterative collaboration process, participants will learn about music transcription (the process of translating musical ideas onto the page), arrangement (organizing melodies, harmonies, and rhythms), orchestration (choosing which instruments to use), and more.

Throughout the collaborative process, artists will be encouraged to assert their creative intentions and provide constructive feedback to develop the music. The goal of this program is to build participant confidence in their creative and critical abilities and showcase musical ideas from the disability community. The professional composer may be the one transcribing, arranging, and orchestrating the piece, but the final work will reflect the creative will of the group.

Please note: this opportunity may involve travel within/outside of Canada. Applicants should be eligible to travel and are encouraged to identify any accessibility or support needs related to travel during the application process.

ARTIST SELECTION PROCESS AND GUIDELINES

All Canadian artists living with disabilities are encouraged to apply, particularly those with musical experience. The NaAC will select three artists from within our local Calgary community and three artists currently living outside the Calgary area. The artists will be chosen from the pool of applicants by a jury of NaAC arts professionals involved in the project. The jury will base their decisions on the following criteria:

The artist’s creative and professional goals are related to the field of music
The artist is actively building their artistic practice towards professionalization, or has already worked professionally in their medium
The artist is willing to share their musical ideas and have those ideas be shaped and transformed through collaboration
The artist is willing to share personal stories, both positive and negative, that have shaped their experiences as someone moving through the world with a disability
The artist is excited to build connections with other artists living with disabilities

APPLICATION DEADLINE: October 17th, 2026 at 11:59 PM ABT (Alberta Time)

NOTIFICATIONS: Late October

PROGRAM BEGINS: Early November

Applicant Information*

You will receive confirmation of your application by email.

First name *

Last name *

Pronouns

Email *

Mobile

Date of birth *

Address *

City *

Country *

State/Province *

Region *

Zip/Postal code *

Other phone (home or work)

Send a carbon copy to this email address

Preferred method of contact

Please provide us with your Artist Bio: *

Please provide us with your Artist Bio:

0/200

Please tell us about why you want to participate: *

Please tell us about why you want to participate:

0/300

Do you have any past work you'd like to share? Please provide link(s) here:

Are you eligible to travel within Canada? *

Yes No x Clear

Are you eligible to travel outside of Canada? *

Yes No x Clear

Please inform us of any access needs or accommodations relating to travel (please note: travel-related questions are for information only, and will not be used by the jury in the selection process)

The sound.colLAB 2.0 group will meet remotely by video call as needed to complete the project. Please let us know your availability by checking one or more of the boxes below: *

Select all Clear all

The sound.colLAB 2.0 group will meet remotely by video call as needed to complete the project. Please let us know your availability by checking one or more of the boxes below: Monday Mornings Monday Afternoons Monday Evenings Tuesday Evenings Wednesday Evenings Thursday Afternoons Thursday Evenings Friday Mornings Friday Afternoons

Guardianship *

I am my own guardian I have a public guardian Other x Clear

The Artist's Public Guardian

First name *

Last name *

Email *

Mobile

Address

City

Country

State/Province

Region

Zip/Postal code

Other phone

The Artist's Guardian

Relationship

First name *

Last name *

Email *

Mobile

Address

City

Country

State/Province

Region

Zip/Postal code

Other phone

Declaration of Artist Applicant

By applying for sound.coLAB 2.0 and creating an account with National accessArts Centre (hereinafter "the NaAC"), I declare that:

I am a Canadian citizen or permanent resident of Canada.
I identify with having a developmental, physical, and/ or acquired disability.
I am 18 years of age or older.
I have reviewed the contents of this application, and all the information is correct and accurate.
I will inform the NaAC immediately of any changes to any of the information in this completed application form.
I give permission to the NaAC to share all the information included in my application package with the jury.
I am aware that this opportunity presents the possibility of travel.

If I am selected to participate in this project, I agree that:

The NaAC uses the first one to two sessions of participation to assess program suitability and determine if more assistance is required. The NaAC reserves the right to determine if our program(s) are a good fit for me, and/or to request that I attend with a support worker.
I will participate in each session and understand that the NaAC may be required to offer my spot to another artist if do not.
I will let the NaAC know if I am sick or cannot attend a session. If I plan to be gone for an extended period, longer than three sessions, the NaAC may be required to offer my spot to another artist.
I will treat all members of the NaAC with respect and will not discriminate against anyone for any reason.
If travel is required, I will prioritize these dates once they are decided, work with the NaAC to arrange travel plans, and provide my own support to travel with me if necessary or required.

Terms

Publicity

sound.coLAB 2.0 sessions will be recorded and transcribed, and may be broadcast publicly and/or kept as archived material.

From time to time, the NaAC issues publications to promote our programs and the talents of our artists locally, nationally and internationally. These publications include but are not limited to:

Photo
Video
Social media posts
Paper publications
Posters
Marketing materials

I give consent for the NaAC to use captured content (including but not limited to photos, video, audio, and transcribed text) of me and/or my works for exhibition and publicity purposes. The NaAC will not share overly personal information about any participants.

Liability

I am aware and understand that participating in any physical activity might include risks for injury and possible death. I accept this risk and agree to waive any and all claims and liabilities, both now and in the future, against the NaAC for any personal injury, death, damage, loss, or expense that either I and/or my support worker might suffer from participating in any program facilitated by the NaAC.

Consent to Contact for Support, Behaviour, or Medical Concerns

By completing this form, I acknowledge and agree that the National accessArts Centre may contact the parent(s)/guardian(s) listed on this form if concerns arise regarding the participant’s behaviour, wellbeing, medical needs, or if the participant requires additional support to safely and successfully attend or participate in programming. This and any other communication may occur by phone, email, or other provided contact methods. I understand that this information will be used solely for the purpose of supporting the participant and ensuring a safe and positive environment.

I have read and accept with the policies and procedures set forth. *

Please read and scroll to the bottom to accept.

A required field has not been filled.

Please accept all conditions.

Connect to fill this form

Please type in your email or mobile number. We will send you a connection code.

Email or mobile

Connection code

Waitlist

Leave us your coordinates. We will contact you when a spot frees up.

Waitlist for

Comment

Please wait...

Membership

Your membership is tied to your email address. If you are using the wrong email, your membership will not be detected. You can try disconnecting and connecting using another email address.

If you need further assistance, please write to info@activitymessenger.com. Please include a screen capture if possible.