The Glasshouse

Applications for Sage Gateshead’s flagship artist residency are now open (closing date 1 April)

Sage Gateshead’s popular Summer Studios are free, week-long residencies throughout August for musicians, producers, artists, rappers and singers of all genres to be able to create new work, develop their practice or prepare for a performance, providing a great kickstart or boost to a creative project.

This year’s Summer Studios will take place from 2 August – 15 August 2021 and free residencies are up for grabs. Applications are open now and close at 5pm on 1 April. Information at https://sagegateshead.com/artist-development/summer-studio/

Dedicated rehearsal studio and facilities are available to artists for one week, as well as one-to-one sessions and clinics with music industry professionals. Participants also have the option to have a professional photoshoot and film a live session of one of their songs.

This year’s Summer Studios will be a special ‘hybrid’ edition with some of the programme happening in-person and some online. Building on the success of the 2020 online residency, this means artists who can travel to Sage Gateshead are welcome to make use of our rehearsal facilities, while one-to-one sessions and clinics will take place via video call to ensure no-one misses out.

Residents will be able to attend workshops on industry-relevant topics such as approaching promoters, writing funding bids, stage presence, songwriting, music publishing and management. Last year’s workshops featured professionals from Sony Music, NARC Magazine, PRS Foundation and PolyArts Management amongst others.

Summer Studios is for music creators from all genres and backgrounds, at any career stage. Previous residents have included Big Joanie, Ross Millard (The Futureheads), Frankie & the Heartstrings, Talk Like Tigers, Holly Clarke, Martha Hill, John Pope and Cat Myers.

Composer Ben Gaunt took part in Summer Studios 2020 and is still benefiting from the time is spent during his residency.

“I had a fantastic time on the Summer Studios residency; probably one of the best experiences I have had as a professional musician. The meetings with industry experts were so useful; I learned so much about self-promotion, and feel more prepared as I embark upon the next stage of my career. The people who work at Sage Gateshead are really friendly; not only did I receive amazing support during the residency, but I am still benefiting from the scheme months later. I urge any musician (regardless of genre and background) to apply for this amazing opportunity.”

Emily Jones, Senior Produce at Sage Gateshead said:

“We were delighted to be able to deliver Summer Studios digitally for artists across the UK last year, despite the pandemic, and we are looking forward to building on that success with our first ever ‘hybrid’ edition which will take place both in person at Sage Gateshead and online. The residency provided a much-needed focal point for the artists last summer and we hope to make it even more valuable this year.”

Claire Dupree, Editor of NARC Magazine added: “Summer Studios is such a valuable project for musicians to get involved in. Not only will they have access to the world-class facilities at Sage Gateshead and a wealth of experience and knowledge from mentors, but a residency affords them the luxury of time and space to be creative and work on their craft. I love talking to the musicians and helping them to get the most out of their practice.”

ENDS

For further media enquiries please contact Susie Gray, The Corner Shop PR, susie@thecornershoppr.com 07834 073 795

Or Jackie Thompson, Jackie.thompson@sagegateshead.com

Notes to editors

Photo: Ben Gaunt at Summer Studios 2020, credit Mark Savage

Sage Gateshead wants to make Summer Studios as accessible as possible to all. Bursaries are available towards costs such as meals, childcare, transport, project materials for the residency, the cost of a support worker and replacing income which may be lost due to time off work for the residency. Funding is available for accommodation and travel for those travelling from outside of Newcastle and Gateshead. Additional money is available for access needs to help improve the experience and accessible accommodation is available for anyone travelling from outside Newcastle/Gateshead.

Summer Studios is produced by Sage Gateshead in association with NARC. Magazine and funded by PRS Foundation. Summer Studios forms part of a wider programme of development and support for emerging artists at Sage Gateshead, providing opportunities for a broad range of musicians working across music genres.