Sound Artist in residency

SOUND ARTIST IN RESIDENCE

Located on Cape Ann, the City of Gloucester (pop. 30,000) is a community with a colorful and rich history, vibrant arts culture and a stunning waterfront. The Sawyer Free Library (SFL) is located downtown in a vibrant hub of venues that host live music and creative artists.

SFL recently returned to our historic home at 2 Dale Avenue and celebrated the opening of our renovated and expanded facility, which includes a Digital Learning Lab.

Our dedicated staff deliver inclusive programs, collections, public technology and services that reflect Gloucester’s culture and support literacy, learning, digital skills, economic grown, community resilience and health & wellness.

SFL is seeking a Sound Artist in Residence to engage with the Gloucester community and inspire them to work on projects in our newly opened Audio Studios in the Digital Learning Lab.  The Sound Artist in Residence will give visibility to our Audio Studios through in-library programming, consultation with the community, and creative works. We welcome applications from all types of sound artists, including podcasters, songwriters, musicians, and producers.

The Digital Learning Lab is host to two live audio recording studios with state-of-the-art equipment and two high powered digital media stations with audio, video and image editing software.

Sound Artists are invited to curate a lineup of events, workshops and performances for the residency. Example activities include:

RESPONSIBILITIES

·         Plan and lead events and workshops

·         Develop promotional materials for events and workshops

·         Foster the growth of the Sawyer Free Library’s Audio Studio community and help build that community’s knowledge base.

·         Inspire and empower community members in their audio recording endeavors.

·         Produce a personal audio recording demo

·         Share creations produced in the Audio Studios in an online repository and social media. 

REQUIREMENTS:

·         Professionally active in your artistic community

·        Applicant must possess a working knowledge of recording software (DAW), audio interface hardware & peripherals, and modern digital and analog recording techniques

·         In the early working stage of a new project

·         Comfortable interacting with members of the Gloucester community, including seniors

·         Comfortable participating in media opportunities to promote the residency, the Sawyer Free Library, and sound recording in Massachusetts.

CONTRACT TERMS:

·         3-month contract, mid-September-mid-December (these dates can be flexible if required by the successful applicant)

·         The engagement is for a total of 240 hours. (~20 hours a week)

·         $6,500 remuneration on a self-employed basis

·         100% of the residency time is to be performed in Gloucester

HOW TO APPLY:

Please email the following to lryan@sawyerfreelibrary.org:

·         An artist resume outlining your relevant qualifications and experience

·         A cover letter which:

OR: Use this form to apply online!

Applications are due by 6 p.m. on Sunday, July 5, 2026