Upcoming Programs:

As an international hub for sonic experimentation, ESS nurtures artists, heralds new works, and builds a broad, supportive community of makers, enthusiasts, and creative partners through production, presentation, education, and preservation.

Founded in 1986 by Dawn and Lou Mallozzi, Eric Leonardson, and Perry Venson, Experimental Sound Studio (ESS) has occupied its Edgewater location since 2006. The facility is home to a full-service recording, mixing, and mastering studio for hire; Audible Gallery, a small public space for exhibitions, meetings, workshops, performances, and artists' projects; and the Creative Audio Archive—an invaluable collection of recordings, print, and visual ephemera related to avant-garde and exploratory sound and music of the last five decades. ESS presents eclectic performance and installation programming, workshops, and artist talks year round—both in the various spaces around the studio (including its beautiful garden) and at various partner venues around Chicago.

Programs

ESS’s public presentation includes weekly and seasonal ongoing concert series in addition to special projects, commissions, and site-specific installations throughout Chicago.

Archive

Creative Audio Archive houses and programs a number of unique collections documenting sonic arts and experimentation over the past 60 years. Collections include the Sun Ra/El Saturn Collection, the Malachi Ritscher Collection, and an archive of all artistic production through ESS from the past 30 years.

Membership

Join the ESS community as a member and receive special access to recordings, show and studio discounts, additional media, and private events. Membership comes at a range of levels to ensure an inclusive community of experimental arts supporters.

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