• OPTION 2025: June 15 - August 17

    The OPTION concert series features live concerts and artist discussion in the ESS garden most Sundays this summer.

    Full Line-up
  • Laura Ortman Florasonic performance

    Florasonic: The Southwest Northeast Back and Forth Bows

    As part of its ongoing Florasonic series at Lincoln Park Conservatory, ESS presents a new 4-channel sound installation work by Laura Ortman, spatialized by Kari Watson.

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  • We are a community supported non-profit dedicated to the curation, evolution, and exploration of sound.

    For 39 years Experimental Sound Studio has nurtured avant-garde and exploratory artists through production, presentation, education, and preservation.

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    Exploding Star Orchestra at Adler Planetarium

    Events

    Last year we presented 337 artists in 81 different programs in-person throughout Chicago and online.

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    Full-Service Recording Studio

    ESS offers comprehensive production facilities and expert support for nearly 150 artists per year in over 300 sessions.

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    Individuals like YOU made all of the activities in 2024 happen. Make your mark on the next year of artist-led programs.

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    Artist Residencies

    ESS works with local and international partners to create time and space for artistic creation. Residents are selected from open calls throughout the year.

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    Creative Audio Archive

    Members can now listen online to over 5,000 archival recordings, and we’re adding more every day!

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    The Facility

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