OneBeat: Music Exchange and Incubator for Young Musicians

OneBeat is a music exchange and incubator for music-based social entrepreneurship, where innovative musicians from around the world launch collaborative projects designed to make a positive impact on local and global communities.

OneBeat 13 (April-May) & OneBeat 14 (September-October) will bring 50 total musicians (ages 19-35) from select countries to collaboratively write, produce and perform original music, and develop strategies for arts-based social engagement. Each session begins with a residency followed by a tour. OneBeat Fellows will perform for a wide array of American audiences, collaborate with local musicians, and lead workshops with youth. After the program, OneBeat musicians return to their home countries and communities to develop projects linked to mutually-reinforcing networks of music-driven social enterprises.

OneBeat is an initiative of the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs in collaboration with the groundbreaking New York-based music organization Bang on a Can’s Found Sound Nation. Young musicians from around the world explore how artists, communities and institutions can work together to rejuvenate local economies through music, technology, and the creative arts. OneBeat is a global community of tastemakers who link their artistic processes with the betterment of their communities.

What are the eligible countries and territories?

• Albania, Algeria, Argentina, Bangladesh, Barbados, Belarus, Bolivia, Brazil, China, Colombia, Cuba, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Egypt, Ghana, Greece, Honduras, India, Indonesia, Iraq, Israel, Japan, Kazakhstan, Kenya, Kosovo, Kyrgyzstan, Lebanon, Malaysia, Mauritania, Mexico, Mongolia, Montenegro, Morocco, Nepal, Niger, Nigeria, Pakistan, Palestinian Territories, Philippines, Poland, Russia, Saudi Arabia, Senegal, Serbia, South Africa, South Korea, Sri Lanka, Taiwan, Tajikistan, Tunisia, Turkey, Ukraine, United States, Uzbekistan, Venezuela.

Eligibility Criteria

• You are eligible for OneBeat only if you are both a resident and citizen of an eligible country.
• OneBeat Fellows must apply individually and will be selected as individuals. However, several members of a group are welcome to apply separately.
• They anticipate accepting a small number of U.S. musicians as OneBeat 2024 Fellows.
• Participants should have a basic grasp of English in order to participate in ensembles and creative sessions.
• Because of the number of eligible countries and territories they will not be able to accept Fellows from every country or territory. They do intend to invite Fellows from every world region.
• They encourage advanced students and highly skilled semi-professional musicians to apply.
• OneBeat is only open to musicians, although they do encourage musicians to apply who also work in other fields.
• Musicians from any genre or background are encouraged to apply. They are looking for musicians who have achieved an advanced proficiency in styles and skills such as (but not limited to): folk music, hip hop, electronic music, traditional music, jazz, experimental, classical, sound-art installations, DJing, audio engineering, etc.
• All costs will be covered for OneBeat Fellows, including travel and accommodations. Fellows will also receive a per diem and a modest honorarium.

For more information, visit OneBeat.