The Wavefront Artist Residency is an international artist residency partnership between ESS and soundpocket, a sonic arts organization based in Hong Kong. The program has been ongoing since 2015. The 2025 Wavefront artist-in-residence is Helen Lam Hoi-yan.

Past artists-in-residence include Johnny Au, CHA MING, Brian Chu Yin-Woo, Dave Chow, Cher Ng Chun-Tung, Mark Chung, and Samson Cheung. Each artist spends one month in Chicago exploring the scene and developing new work. ESS has also sent Chicago artists David Boykin and Sara Ludy to spend a month in Hong Kong.

soundpocket selects Hong Kong artists each year as part of their Artist Support Programme. Chicago artists are selected when funds are available through an open call, which will be posted here and on our public channels when available.