ESS produces and presents 40-60 events per year. Most of ESS’s programs are special projects— discrete, site-specific projects presented at partner venues and locations throughout Chicago. Most of these programs are booked and programmed a minimum 6-12 months in advance. We do produce a few recurring series, listed below. We do not function as a typical venue, meaning that for the most part we do not present shows at ESS unless they are part of a larger initiative or an existing series. 

If you think ESS is the right partner for your project, we invite you to send a proposal to proposals@experimentalsoundstudio.org. Please include a short project description, if you see your project aligned with a particular existing stream of activity (this isn’t necessary, just helpful to know relevant), and the ESS resources that would come into play for your project (e.g., are you looking for a producer, a creative partner, a venue, technical support, access to ESS’s audience…). 

We read all new proposals at our monthly programming meetings and will reach out with any further questions. Due to limited staff capacity, we cannot respond to all proposals, but rest assured that if you receive the auto-reply, we have received your proposal and have read it! 

Current streams of public programming include:

• Site-specific or large-scale (long-timeline) projects; multichannel sound is the current primary focus for these projects
• OPTION series: an annual salon of 8 concerts over the summer featuring improvised music followed by an artist-led interview. Curated by Andrew Clinkman, Dorothy Carlos, and Lily Finnegan. 
• Florasonic: multi-channel sound installation at Lincoln Park Conservatory Fern Room, one open call in 2026 for a summer presentation.
• Creative Audio Archive Programs: public programs affiliated with specific collections or materials in the Creative Audio Archive.
• 2026 is our 40th anniversary! As such, we’re open to any and all ideas for how to celebrate, including program proposals for our free party in October.

Workshops: ESS’s ongoing workshop series is the Patchbent Sessions, a meeting place and learning community for women, trans, and non-binary people interested in sound technology. We plan to hold 6-8 sessions in 2026, split between spring and fall. The spring session has passed.

One focus of 2026 programming is electronic music production and the recording studio—any additional one-off workshops should align with those themes.

In addition to free public programs, ESS as holds monthly programs for donors (as little as $1 gets you in the door!), including virtual field trips to studios, archives, and other sonic-focused organizations throughout the world. Have a space you’d like to share with this group? Contact kelsey@experimentalsoundstudio.org.