• 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
  • Ryan Deffet Studio Grant

    Ryan Deffet Studio Grant

    Applications are now open 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

  • ESS 40: Damon Locks Reissue Tee

    Damon Locks, one of ESS’s earliest collaborators, needs no introduction. The multifaceted artist seamlessly moves through mediums. While his musical practice as a solo artist, band leader, and in-demand collaborator gets a lot of airtime these days, his striking visual art is a core part of his body of work.

    BUY NOW
  • 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

  • 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
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    • 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.

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    Exploding Star Orchestra at Adler Planetarium

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