RAqS Residency Program
PREPARE > REVIEW > SHOWCASE
THE SECOND CYCLE | 2026 • 2027
Our Vision
We invite artists to push boundaries in contemporary and experimental forms through creative exploration and professional development, building a progressive, culturally active and diverse artistic community.
Discover The Program
This program is designed to empower artists working across sound, storytelling, voice, live instruments and electronic music performance, providing access to tools, workshops, experimentation spaces, and platforms to showcase their work during 2026/2027, ensuring relevant, discipline-specific direction while working within a shared, collaborative learning environment in the landscape of Amsterdam and the Netherlands.
Who Can Apply?
- Musicians, Storytellers, Lyricists and MCs.
- Singer-songwriters and Vocalists.
- Electronic music producers.
- DJs / DJ producers.
- Based in the Netherlands.
- Aged 18–27.
Applicants Should Demonstrate:
- A strong interest in South West Asian and/or North African musical influences: This may be reflected through artistic practice, research, cultural engagement, or experimentation with rhythms, scales, stories, languages, or sonic traditions connected to these regions.
- Commitment to artistic growth and collaboration: Applicants should show openness to feedback, willingness to develop their practice over time, and an ability to actively engage in collaborative processes within a shared creative environment.
What We Offer
A customised development program in Amsterdam city during 2026/2027:
- Participants will be paired with curators from the RAqS network, according to their artistic practice and development goals. The program will offer targeted, hands-on guidance through workshops and studio sessions tailored to different disciplines within the residency, aiming to result in showcasing their work in a public outcome at a RAqS event, such as a live concert, club night or pop-up radio show.
Workshops & Progress Reviews:
- Practical guidance on music production processes, including mixing, mastering, sound design, and the creation of live sets for performance or recording.
- Support for musicians, storytellers, lyricists, MCs, singer-songwriters, and vocalists, focusing on voice development, lyrical structure, storytelling, and integrating vocals within electronic or live music frameworks.
- Training in live performance execution, stage presence, and technical coordination, including collaboration with sound engineers and performance teams.
- Techniques and approaches for DJ mixing, set building, transitions, and adapting selections for club and live performance contexts.
- Regular feedback sessions throughout 2026–2027 focused on reviewing works-in-progress, setting clear artistic goals, and defining steps for development.
Portfolio Development:
- Practical sessions on music business fundamentals and visual identity, supporting participants in developing a coherent artistic profile, strengthening portfolio presentation, and increasing visibility.
- Documented output of each participant’s work, including audio recordings, video material, and visual assets.
Themes of Exploration
Our activities are structured around themes, including:
- The integration of microtonal music scales ranging from Arabic maqams, Persian classics, Turkish folk music, to North African Berber, Sub-Saharan and Andalusian music in ambient and electronic music styles.
- The modern interpretations and evolution of tribal dance music within SWANA folk traditions.
- Electronic Tarab Music: Exploring the sensory interaction and ecstatic experience of Tarab through modern and traditional forms.
- The fusion of contemporary and classical elements within rap, storytelling and live instruments (strings, guitars, wind instruments, drums and percussion)
How to Apply
To join the RAqS Residency Program:
- Complete the application form available below: Submit your portfolio, including samples of your work and a brief biography.
- Following your application submission, you will receive a response within 10 working days via email.
- Shortlisted candidates may be invited for an interview with our selection panel.
To join the RAqS Residency Program. Send an email to [email protected] including:
- Your portfolio, samples of your work and a brief biography.
- Shortlisted candidates may be invited for an interview with our selection panel.
Deadlines
- Open until: 15.March 2026
- Announcement Date: 25 March 2026
Discover The Program
This program is designed to empower artists working across sound, storytelling, voice, live instruments and electronic music performance, providing access to tools, workshops, experimentation spaces, and platforms to showcase their work during 2026/2027, ensuring relevant, discipline-specific direction while working within a shared, collaborative learning environment in the landscape of Amsterdam and the Netherlands.
Who Can Apply?
Musicians, Storytellers, Lyricists and MCs
Singer-songwriters and Vocalists
Electronic music producers
DJs / DJ producers
Based in the Netherlands, between 18 and 27 years old.
Applicants Should Demonstrate
- A strong interest in South West Asian and/or North African musical influences: This may be reflected through artistic practice, research, cultural engagement, or experimentation with rhythms, scales, stories, languages, or sonic traditions connected to these regions.
- Commitment to artistic growth and collaboration: Applicants should show openness to feedback, willingness to develop their practice over time, and an ability to actively engage in collaborative processes within a shared creative environment.
Themes of Exploration
Our activities are structured around themes, including:
- The integration of microtonal music scales ranging from Arabic maqams, Persian classics, Turkish folk music, to North African Berber, Sub-Saharan and Andalusian music in ambient and electronic music styles.
- The modern interpretations and evolution of tribal dance music within SWANA folk traditions.
- Electronic Tarab Music: Exploring the sensory interaction and ecstatic experience of Tarab through modern and traditional forms.
- The fusion of contemporary and classical elements within rap, storytelling and live instruments (strings, guitars, wind instruments, drums and percussion)
What We Offer
A customised development program in Amsterdam city during 2026/2027:
- Participants will be paired with curators from the RAqS network, according to their artistic practice and development goals. The program will offer targeted, hands-on guidance through workshops and studio sessions tailored to different disciplines within the residency, aiming to result in showcasing their work in a public outcome at a RAqS event, such as a live concert, club night or pop-up radio show.
Workshops & Progress Reviews:
- Practical guidance on music production processes, including mixing, mastering, sound design, and the creation of live sets for performance or recording.
- Support for musicians, storytellers, lyricists, MCs, singer-songwriters, and vocalists, focusing on voice development, lyrical structure, storytelling, and integrating vocals within electronic or live music frameworks.
- Training in live performance execution, stage presence, and technical coordination, including collaboration with sound engineers and performance teams.
- Techniques and approaches for DJ mixing, set building, transitions, and adapting selections for club and live performance contexts.
- Regular feedback sessions throughout 2026–2027 focused on reviewing works-in-progress, setting clear artistic goals, and defining steps for development.
Portfolio Development:
- Practical sessions on music business fundamentals and visual identity, supporting participants in developing a coherent artistic profile, strengthening portfolio presentation, and increasing visibility.
- Documented output of each participant’s work, including audio recordings, video material, and visual assets.
How to Apply
To join the RAqS Residency Program:
- Complete the application form available below: Submit your portfolio, including samples of your work and a brief biography.
- Following your application submission, you will receive a response within 10 working days via email.
- Shortlisted candidates may be invited for an interview with our selection panel.
To join the RAqS Residency Program. Send an email to [email protected] including:
- Your portfolio, including samples of your work and a brief biography.
- Shortlisted candidates may be invited for an interview with our selection panel.
Deadlines
- Open until: 15.March 2026
- Announcement Date: 25 March 2026
SUBMIT YOUR APPLICATION
For additional information, please contact us at [email protected]