• Ryan Deffet Studio Grant

    Ryan Deffet Studio Grant

    Applications are due June 1 at midnight for the Ryan Deffet Studio Grant, an initiative furthering Ryan's legacy of creativity, generosity, and collaboration. The goal of this initiative is to meet artists where they are in a recording project, giving them the time, space, and professional resources to complete production on a discrete project.

    Apply Now

  • Open Call: Sonic Pavilion 2026

    ESS seeks proposals for multichannel sound compositions for the overhead trellis loudspeaker array at Jay Pritzker Pavilion in the heart of downtown Chicago, to be presented as part of its annual Sonic Pavilion Festival. Sonic Pavilion is included in this year’s America250 programs, a national series of arts programs on the occasion of the 250th birthday of the United States.

    SUBMIT A PROPOSAL

  • Open Call: Florasonic 25th Anniversary Installation

    in celebration of Florasonic’s 25th anniversary, ESS is seeking proposals for four-channel sound compositions created for installation in the Lincoln Park Conservatory Fern Room.

    SUBMIT A PROPOSAL

  • Navigations: One's Position (and a route)

    Experimental Sound Studio and Roman Susan are pleased to announce “Navigations: One’s Position (and a route),” a multi-faceted group exhibition opening this spring at ESS’s Audible Gallery. Each week, a different artist is featured on the Audible Gallery sound system, amplifying work that is taking place across the City.

    LEARN MORE
  • OPTION 2026

    2026 OPTION Series

    The 2026 OPTION series season lineup is live! Featuring weekly concerts and interviews in ESS's beautiful garden with artists who are pushing the boundaries of exploratory music. Curated by Andrew Clinkman, Lily Finnegan, and Dorothy Carlos.

    Check out the full line-up
  • 1 / 5

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

    For 40 years Experimental Sound Studio has nurtured avant-garde and exploratory artists through production, presentation, education, and preservation.

    Read More
    Exploding Star Orchestra at Adler Planetarium

    Events

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

    Explore events

    Full-Service Recording Studio

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

    Work with us on your next project

    Join the Feed Back Loop

    Support ESS as we embark on the coming year and join the hundreds of folks who have chosen to be part of the aggregate force that makes experimental culture possible.

    Donate

    Artist Residencies

    ESS works with local and international partners to create time and space for artistic creation. Details per residency in this link.

    Learn More

    Creative Audio Archive

    You can now listen access recordings online—we’re adding more every day!

    Listen to the Archive

    The Facility

    Looking for a unique place for a party, small wedding, meeting, or private
    performance?

    Tour Our Space

    Are you an Artist?

    We have resources for you!

    Artist Support

    Sign into your ESS account

    Support the Creative Audio Archive

    Help us digitize and share more recordings like this one!