Become the listener in new podcast with political geographer and sound artist Anja Kanngieser

In a new Ràdio Web MACBA and Sonic Acts podcast, we become the listeners as political geographer and sound artist Anja Kanngieser reflects on expanded listening, the inaudible, and our anthropocentrism.

Philip Vermeulen’s More Moiré² nominated for the NFF Gouden Kalf award

Philip Vermeulen’s immersive installation More Moiré², which is co-commissioned by Sonic Acts and premiered at Sonic Acts Academy 2020, has been nominated for the prestigious Gouden Kalf award by the Nederlands Film Festival.

Summer Sale! Fill your shelves with reading material for the summer

With summer upon us, and with many of us spending more of the season at home this year – and with more time than ever to read – Sonic Acts is offering discounts on books, audio objects and more at the Sonic Acts webshop.

New digital release by Hugo Esquinca available via Bandcamp

As Bandcamp waives its fees for the day on 5 June, the artist has committed all of his proceeds to the direct distribution of ear protection against potential LRAD deployment within an undisclosed network in the US and the MX/US border.

Apply now! Sonic Acts is looking for interns

Sonic Acts is looking for interns in Production and Communication during the period of September/October 2020 until March 2021. We especially welcome applications by those underrepresented in the field and in the workplace. Apply by 29 June.

Lineup announced for online season finale of Progress Bar

Sonic Acts presents the Season 4 finale of Progress Bar on 19 June 2020, 20:00–01:00 (CET), as a live-streamed online event. Update: We regret to announce the unfortunate cancellation of this online edition of Progress Bar.

Sonic Acts collaborates with Ràdio Web MACBA on new podcast with Terike Haapoja

In a new podcast on Ràdio Web MACBA co-produced by Sonic Acts, Finnish artist Terike Haapoja invites us to imagine a hybrid, expansive, empathetic 'we', with room for ambiguity and difference and for interspecies political understanding.

Free PDF download of the Academy 2020 Magazine

The impulse to listen, talk and learn with one another now hinges on the need to stay at home, and many of us have more time than ever to read. For that reason, we’re giving away a free digital edition of our latest publication, the Academy 2020 Magazine.

Watch the 2020 conference talks and performances

In light of the difficult circumstances brought about by the COVID-19 pandemic, we are working on ways to move future activities online. In the meantime, videos of the Sonic Acts Academy 2020 conference and performances can be watched over the weeks and months ahead.

Thank you for contributing to an unforgettable Academy

Sonic Acts Academy 2020 is a wrap! As always, we are extremely grateful to everyone involved in making this year’s edition another great success. Thankfully, our incredible team of photographers and videographers were on hand to capture every moment.

MÆKUR's CONDITIONS : 1218-0719 now available as limited edition vinyl

Released as part of Sonic Acts Academy 2020 and now available for digital download and as limited-edition vinyl, CONDITIONS : 1218 – 0719 is the first release by MÆKUR, the collaborative project of Maiа Urstad, Eva Rowson and Anton Kats.

AV impressions of Sonic Acts Academy 2020 now online

Complete photo reports of the Academy will be published in the coming week, but you can already browse through a selection of first impressions on our social channels. Festival aftermovies and videos of the entire conference programme will also be online soon.

GIL, Know V.A., Zaïre Krieger and more confirmed for Progress Bar on 20 March

After Sonic Acts Academy 2020, a new edition of Progress Bar takes place at OT301 on Friday 20 March, with performances, DJ sets, films and presentations by artists and speakers including Chooc Ly, GIL, Ifeoluwa, Know V.A., pía ío luuuz, Yantan Ministry and Zaïre Krieger.

Tomoko Sauvage, xin and Judith Hamann fill out Sonic Acts Academy 2020 opening programme

Sonic Acts Academy 2020 officially opens on 21 February at Stedelijk Museum Amsterdam, and the programme now fills out with new additions Tomoko Sauvage, xin and Judith Hamann.

Sonic Acts podcast with Speaker Music (DeForrest Brown Jr.) in collaboration with Ja Ja Ja Nee Nee Nee

Sonic Acts and Ja Ja Ja Née Née Née are collaborating on a series of podcasts for the upcoming Sonic Acts Academy 2020. In the third episode, Speaker Music (DeForrest Brown, Jr.) speaks about the origins of techno and (un)​available historical nostalgia.

Programme announced! Rosa Pistola, No Bra, Lone Taxidermist, SHYBOI and lots more confirmed for Sonic Acts Academy 2020

The Sonic Acts Academy 2020 programme is now online, with a new wave of artists and speakers announced for a packed three days of live, immersive, expanded and charged experiences, and vital critical perspectives.

Sound Methods for Environmental Justice workshop with Nabil Ahmed and Anja Kanngieser

The workshop Sound Methods for Environmental Justice will be an introduction to interdisciplinary spatial, sound and listening methods used by advocates, artists and researchers Nabil Ahmed and Anja Kanngieser.

Apply for Potential Wor(l)ds workshop with Anna Bunting-Branch and Aliyah Hussain

Potential Wor(l)ds is a collaborative project between artists Anna Bunting-Branch and Aliyah Hussain, drawing on shared interests in feminist science fiction, embodied processes of making, and different ways of worldbuilding.

Sonic Acts podcast with Lukáš Likavčan in collaboration with Ja Ja Ja Nee Nee Nee

Sonic Acts and Ja Ja Ja Née Née Née are collaborating on a series of podcasts for the upcoming Sonic Acts Academy. In the second episode, Lukáš Likavčan and Leonardo Dellanoce discuss how the future influences the present.

Apply for the Creative Spatial Design workshop with Heleen Blanken and Karl Klomp

The workshop Creative Spatial Design will be an introduction to the artistic practice of conceptual stage design, led by spatial media artists Heleen Blanken and Karl Klomp. It focuses on the basic artistic and technical skills necessary for developing stage scenography for live performances.

More artists, speakers and commissioned works announced for Sonic Acts Academy 2020

Sonic Acts is excited to now reveal the second wave of artists, thinkers and commissioned works for Sonic Acts Academy 2020, taking place in Amsterdam from 21 to 23 February 2020 at Paradiso, De Brakke Grond, Stedelijk Museum and OT301.

Apply for ATTENTION! workshop with Ben Russell

ATTENTION! is a three-day workshop exploring perceptual engagement, that seeks to re-orient the audiovisual attention of its participants towards the present. Participants will be led by artist, filmmaker and curator Ben Russell.

Authentically Plastic, Nahshi, Thoom and more confirmed for Progress Bar on 17 January

Before Sonic Acts Academy 2020, a new edition of Progress Bar takes place at OT301 on Friday 17 January. The evening opens with a screening of Beatrice Gibson’s 2018 film I Hope I’m Loud When I’m Dead.

Apply for the Critical Writing workshop at Sonic Acts Academy 2020

Following the success of previous Critical Writing workshops, a new edition will take place during Sonic Acts Academy, from 21 to 23 February 2020. The workshop is hosted by Arie Altena and Katía Truijen, as well as guests from different journalistic fields.

Sonic Acts and Ja Ja Ja Nee Nee Nee podcast: Sadaf speaks to Ivan Cheng

Sonic Acts and Ja Ja Ja Née Née Née are collaborating on a series of podcasts for the upcoming Sonic Acts Academy. In the first episode, Sadaf speaks to Ivan Cheng and discusses the processes of making music, her work and the inspiration behind it all.

Living Earth Publication

The new publication 'Living Earth - Field Notes from the Dark Ecology project' is available now! (estimated shipping date: June 1st)

First names announced for Sonic Acts Academy 2020

Today we announce the first wave of artists, thinkers and com­mis­sioned works for Son­ic Acts Acad­e­my 2020. Tak­ing place in Ams­ter­dam from 21 to 23 Feb­ru­ary 2020, the Academy is the 20th edi­tion of Son­ic Acts.

First artists announced for Progress Bar on 20 December

After an exhilarating first edition of the new season, Sonic Acts is excited to announce the first artists for the next edition of Progress Bar, taking place on 20 December 2019 at OT301, including Hesska and Oli XL.

Limited number of Blind Bird tickets available for Sonic Acts Academy 2020

Sonic Acts Academy is a three-day festival of innovative audio-visual and performative art and critical thinking, taking place from 21 to 23 February 2020 in Amsterdam. A limited amount of Blind Bird festival passes are now available for €50.

Progress Bar on 1 November: Nazar, SUUTOO, TAYHANA, Fossil Free Culture NL and more

A new season of Progress Bar kicks off on Friday 1 November 2019 at OT301, with DJ sets by Nazar, SUUTOO, TAYHANA, a talk by Fossil Free Culture NL, and a screening of the film Zombies by Baloji.

Call for volunteers: Sonic Acts Academy 2020

Sonic Acts Academy will take place from 21 to 23 February 2020 and we are looking for volunteers to assist with various tasks – from communication and photography to production and hospitality – both before and during the event.

Podcast in collaboration with Ràdio Web MACBA: Nora Sternfeld

Sonic Acts is happy to share another podcast in collaboration with Ràdio Web MACBA, in which Nora Sternfeld problematises the educational turn and talks about the crisis of the museum model and more.

Vacancy: Sonic Acts is looking for a PR and Marketing Employee (24 hours)

Sonic Acts is looking for a PR and Marketing Employee for 24 hours a week during the period of 4 November 2019 until 6 March 2020, contributing to the promotion of Sonic Acts Academy. The deadline to apply is 23 October.

Sonic Acts co-commission TIME TIME TIME in Oslo and London

Jennifer Walshe and Timothy Morton’s operatic work TIME TIME TIME, which was co-commissioned by Sonic Acts, will be presented on 13 September 2019 in Oslo and 14 December 2019 in London.

New podcasts in collaboration with Ràdio Web MACBA

Ràdio Web MACBA has published two new podcasts in collaboration with Sonic Acts, featuring educators and theorists Irit Rogoff and Ramon Amaro, who both gave lectures at Sonic Acts Festival 2019.

Sonic Acts Podcast: Listen to the 2019 conference talks

The conference talks from Sonic Acts Festival 2019 are now available to listen to as a series of audio episodes at the Sonic Acts SoundCloud page or your preferred podcast platform.

HEREAFTER publication available at the Sonic Acts shop

The full scope of issues discussed during Sonic Acts Festival 2019 is very much represented and palpable in the tone of this year's festival publication, a coalescing of contributions from some of the festival's participants.

Save the dates: Sonic Acts Academy 2020 takes place 21–23 February

Sonic Acts Academy 2020 will take place in Amsterdam from 21 to 23 February. Stay tuned for more information to be announced over the coming months.

HEREAFTER identity nominated for Dutch Design Awards 2019

The visual identity for Sonic Acts Festival 2019 has been nominated for the Dutch Design Awards! The multi-layered visual identity was designed by The Rodina to shape the festival’s HEREAFTER theme

Summer Sale: Discounts on Sonic Acts publications and more

Summer is upon us, and what better way to spend it than to delve into one of the many Sonic Acts publications. For that reason, we are offering discounts on many of our books at the Sonic Acts webshop.

Videos of the 2019 conference are now online

This year, Sonic Acts celebrated its 25-year history with a festival edition dedicated to the topic Hereafter. Videos of the conference talks are now online on the Sonic Acts YouTube and Vimeo channels.

Thank you for making Sonic Acts Festival 2019 a success!

A big THANK YOU goes out to our speakers, artists and funders, to all who contributed their time and energy, and to all of you who came to experience and participate in Sonic Acts Festival 2019.

Programme revealed for Sonic Acts Festival 2019

Sonic Acts is thrilled to reveal the programme of its 2019 festival edition, HEREAFTER! From 21 to 24 February, Sonic Acts Festival 2019 takes place at various locations in Amsterdam.

Call for applications: Seminar on Contemporary Theory, Creativity, The Earth and Us

Led by Rick Dolphijn, the seminar comprises a close reading session, a workshop with prominent guests – among others, Rosi Braidotti and Susanne Winterling – and a Sonic Acts festival visit and intervention.

Call for applications: The Hidden City workshop with Christina Kubisch

Pioneering sound installation artist Christina Kubisch leads a three-day workshop for Sonic Acts Festival 2019, in which participants explore an otherwise imperceptible urban soundscape.

Call for applications: Critical Writing workshop

Following the success of previous Critical Writing workshops, a new edition will take place during Sonic Acts Festival 2019. Hosted by Arie Altena with support by Katía Truijen.

More names confirmed for Sonic Acts Festival 2019

Sonic Acts is pleased to reveal the second batch of names for Sonic Acts Festival 2019. The complete programme will be revealed at the end of January. Festival Passes are now on sale for €100 (€80 for students).

Sign up for workshops, seminars and guided tours at Sonic Acts Festival 2019

Sonic Acts is pleased to announce a special educational programme for Sonic Acts Festival 2019, with workshops led by artists and theorists including Christina Kubisch and Arie Altena, as well as seminars and guided exhibition tours.

First names confirmed for 25th anniversary edition of Sonic Acts

Sonic Acts is pleased to reveal the first batch of names for Sonic Acts Festival 2019. Under the heading Hereafter, the 25th anniversary edition of the festival reflects on some of the pressing topics of our time.

Spring Bloom in the Marginal Ice Zone released by label Touch

Sonic Acts commission Spring Bloom in the Marginal Ice Zone by Jana Winderen has been released by label Touch. The listener experiences the bloom of plankton, and shifting and crackling sea ice.

Special projects and Early Birds for Sonic Acts’ 25th anniversary festival

As we count down to our upcoming celebratory festival edition, we are proud to reveal a few of the special large-scale projects and performances we have been working on. Early Bird festival passes are available until 31 December.

Call for volunteers: Sonic Acts Festival 2019

To help make Sonic Acts Festival 2019 a success we are looking for volunteers to assist with tasks including communication, photography, production and hospitality, both before and during the festival.

Sonic Acts at EYE Filmmuseum with Tatsuru Arai and Red Brut

On 6 November, Sonic Acts presents an evening of audiovisual wonders at EYE Filmmuseum, with performances by sound and visual artist Tatsuru Arai and tape musician Red Brut.

Videos of the 2018 symposium are now online

If you missed the Sonic Acts Academy symposium (or would like to refresh your memory) you can now watch videos of the presentations and discussions.

Jana Winderen's Spring Bloom in the Marginal Ice Zone in Toronto

An adaptation of Spring Bloom in the Marginal Ice Zone, commissioned by Sonic Acts, will be exhibited from 14 to 23 September, presented by the Blackwood Gallery.

Thomas Ankersmit's Homage to Dick Raaijmakers released by Shelter Press

Thomas Ankersmit's Homage to Dick Raaijmakers, which was commissioned by Sonic Acts and premiered live at Sonic Acts Academy 2016, has been released by Shelter Press.

Summer Sale: Discounts on publications at the Sonic Acts shop

Summer is upon us, and what better way to spend it than to delve into the many Sonic Acts publications. For that reason, there are various discounts and package deals on offer at the Sonic Acts webshop.

Experimental documentary FUTURELAND emerges out of Sonic Acts Academy 2018

Produced by MA students in Conflicts & Negotiations (Goldsmiths, University of London), FUTURELAND emerges out of fieldwork conducted as part of Sonic Acts Academy 2018.

Vertical Cinema to be screened in Zürich

On Friday 1 June, ten Vertical Cinema films will be presented by videoEx in Zürich, in collaboration with Rote Fabrik and Internationale Kurzfilmtage Winterthur.

Elysia Crampton, Rabit and more at Progress Bar

The last Progress Bar edition of the season takes place on 26 May at Paradiso Noord, Tolhuistuin, with a programme of talks, live audiovisual performances and DJ sets.

Order the new Sonic Acts Academy publication

To accompany Sonic Acts Academy 2018, we have published a collection of short essays, maps, interviews, stories, speculations, and visual contributions.

What did you think of Sonic Acts Academy 2018?

Help us to evaluate the event and improve future editions of Sonic Acts by taking part in our online survey and sharing your thoughts and experiences.

Thank you for being a part of Sonic Acts Academy 2018

Sonic Acts Academy 2018 has passed and we are immensely grateful to everyone involved in making it a success.

Full programme announced for Sonic Acts Academy 2018

The second edition of Sonic Acts Academy takes place from 23 to 25 February 2018 at various venues in Amsterdam. The complete programme and time schedule are now online.

Sonic Acts and Stedelijk Museum Amsterdam present: Catherine Christer Hennix

On 16 and 17 February 2018, Hennix will present the world premiere of her new composition Blue(s) in Green to the 31 Limit, as part of a long-term research trajectory initiated by Stedelijk Museum Amsterdam and Sonic Acts.

Vertical Cinema at Göteborg Film Festival and Inversia

On 31 January and 3 February Sonic Acts' internationally acclaimed Vertical Cinema project will be screened as part of the Göteborg Film Festival and Inversia – an international audiovisual festival over the Polar circle.

Sonic Acts presents two films at EYE Filmmuseum

On 20 and 22 February Sonic Acts presents two films, Spell Reel by Filipa César and Time Passes by Ane Hjort Guttu, in collaboration with EYE on Art, a weekly programme where film meets the visual arts.

First names announced for Sonic Acts Academy 2018

Sonic Acts Academy 2018 is pleased to announce the first confirmed artists and thinkers. The Academy takes place from 23 to 25 February 2018 at various locations in Amsterdam North, including Dansmakers and Paradiso Noord – Tolhuistuin.

Progress Bar: Klein, Crystallmess, James Massiah, Larry B & more

On Saturday 20 January, Progress Bar has teams up with Klein for a night of radical thinking and dancing, with DJ sets and live performances by Klein, 'clubcouture', Crystallmess, Dodomundo, James Massiah, Larry B and more.

Winter Sale at Sonic Acts webshop

We're having a winter sale at our webshop with great deals on books, t-shirts and bags. You'll also receive a free bag with every purchase! The sale ends 31 January 2018.

Call for volunteers: Join the Sonic Acts Academy team

To help make the Academy a success, we are looking for volunteers to support us with various tasks, including promotion, communication, photography, production and the information desk.

Call for Applications: Speculation as Interface with Mario de Vega and Victor Mazón Gardoqui

From 21 to 23 February 2018, Sonic Acts hosts a three-day workshop on disruptive technologies by r-aw.cc artists Mario de Vega and Victor Mazón Gardoqui. The deadline for applications is 30 January.

Looking back at Sonic Acts Academy 2018

From 23 to 25 February, Sonic Acts took up residence in Amsterdam-Noord for the second edition of Sonic Acts Academy – a new platform geared towards unpacking the processes of artistic knowledge.

GAIKA to be joined by a stacked line-up at Progress Bar

On 2 December Progress Bar presents 'The Spectacular Empire' with GAIKA and more. Full line-up: 808INK, Aaron Bastani, /aart, City, Cõvco, Gage, GAIKA, Gloria, Kojey Radical, Madam X, Rachel Rose O'Leary and S4U.

More talks confirmed for Progress Bar on 2 December

On Saturday 2 December, Progress Bar returns to Paradiso Noord (Tolhuistuin) with talks by Aaron Bastani, GAIKA and Rachel Rose O'Leary, followed by performances and a club night.

'Sensing the Shipyard' at Damen Shiprepair

Sonic Acts is currently working together with several educational institutes in the Netherlands and abroad. As part of the upcoming Sonic Acts Academy 2018, we are collaborating with the ArtScience Interfaculty in The Hague on Sensing the Shipyard: A Sensorial Journey.

Tonaliens double LP recorded live at Sonic Acts

Berlin-based group Tonaliens have just released a new double LP with recordings from their live performance at Sonic Acts Festival 2015. You can purchase the double LP at our webshop.

Continuum study programme in Shenzhen, China

Continuum is a Pre-Master's programme founded by the Interaction Design, Product Design and Graphic Design departments of ArtEZ Arnhem and developed in collaboration with Sonic Acts.

Early Birds for Sonic Acts Academy now on sale

Sonic Acts Academy will take place from 23 to 25 February 2018 at various locations in Amsterdam. Early Bird Passes are available for €50 until Sunday 31 December.

HC Gilje's 'Barents (Mare Incognitum)' at Screen City Biennial 2017

Commissioned by Sonic Acts and Hilde Methi for Dark Ecology, HC Gilje's video installation Barents (Mare Incognitum) is part of Screen City Biennial 2017 in Stavanger, Norway.

Progress Bar is an official afterparty of Museumnacht

On Saturday 4 November, as an official afterparty location, Museumnacht visitors can enter Progress Bar from 22:00 with their wristband and a €5 afterparty ticket.

Early Bird tickets for the Academy on sale 7 November

Early Bird tickets for Sonic Acts Academy 2018 will be on sale from 7 November. Tickets will be available at a discount price of €50 (regular price: €65) until 31 December.

Book Launch: The Noise of Being

We are pleased to invite you to the launch of our new publication, The Noise of Being, on Saturday 4 November at Paradiso Noord (Tolhuistuin) in Amsterdam.

Progress Bar is back on 4 November

Progress Bar is back for a third season at Paradiso Noord (Tolhuistuin) on Saturday 4 November with Bbymutha, Bonaventure, Eaves, LSDXOXO, Lyzza, Nina Power and more.

Sonic Acts Academy 2018

Following its inception in 2016, the second edition of Sonic Acts Academy will take place from 23 to 25 February 2018 at various locations in Amsterdam.

Book Presentation at Stedelijk

On 29 September the Stedelijk Museum’s Friday Night is all about books. As part of the programme, Sonic Acts will present The Noise of Being, a new book that offers a chance to continue speculating about the strange and anxious state of being human in the present day.

Available now: The Noise of Being publication

The Noise of Being attempts to piece together the dissonance that was produced and gathered at the 2017 Sonic Acts Festival.

'Electro-Pythagoras (a Portrait of Martin Bartlett)' at the 55th New York Film Festival

Luke Fowler's lovingly constructed biographical essay of Canadian composer Martin Bartlett will be screened at the 55th New York Film Festival on 8 October.

Subscribe to our YouTube channel

Watch videos from the archive and subscribe to the channel to stay updated about new work and new ideas from renowned artists and thinkers.

Looking back on Progress Bar Season 2

The second season of Progress Bar has come to a close. Over eight monthly editions we moved beyond the pressures facing club culture, and towards wider socio-political issues.

Videos: The Noise of Being Conference

If you missed the conference (or would like to refresh your memory) you can now watch videos of the presentations and discussions on the Sonic Acts Vimeo channel.

Announcing the Re-Imagine Europe project

We are very pleased to announce that our project Re-Imagine Europe has been selected for funding by the European Commission’s programme Creative Europe.

Sonic Acts Summer Sale! Sale Ends 1 July

Summer is upon us, and what better way to spend it than to delve into one of our many publications. For that reason, we're offering various discounts at the Sonic Acts webshop.

Talks confirmed for Progress Bar on 27 May

Writer and critic Flavia Dzodan will give a lecture, Hélène Christelle will be interviewed by Jeanette Bisschops, and Toronto-based DJ Bambii will be in conversation with Progress Bar.

29 April: Progress Bar S02E07

The only political party you can dance to. Progress Bar is a regular night for cutting-edge thinking and dancing, showcasing urgent sounds and voices while offering insight into the artistic practice of the most exciting contemporary artists

Looking Back on The Noise of Being

A shortish report touching on some of the highlights of the 2017 Sonic Acts Festival, written by a biased insider.

Progress Bar on 1 April

Progress Bar is a regular night for cutting-edge thinking and dancing, showcasing urgent sounds and voices while offering insight into the artistic practice of the most exciting contemporary artists.

What Is Dark Ecology?

RESEARCH SERIES #26 In this essay, which draws on his book Dark Ecology, For a Logic of Coexistence, Timothy Morton — who originally coined the term dark ecology — explains what dark ecology is. He also argues how agrilogistics underpins our ecological crisis and our view of the world.

Nikel — The City as a Material

RESEARCH SERIES #27 Tatjana Gorbachewskaja is an architect who grew up in the Russian town Nikel, located in the far North near the Russian border with Norway. For Dark Ecology she researched the materials of her hometown together with Katya Larina.

Queer Kinship

RESEARCH SERIES #28 In this interview by Rosa Menkman the Canadian theorist Heather Davis discusses the value of artistic experimentation, the Anthropocene, the importance of queer theory and the ecology of plastics.