Support ESS financially, without any additional involvement.

Support ESS + opt in to regular communication
& opportunities to connect.

Support ESS + opt in to the “Plugged-In” experience + go on 3-4 field trips per year to studios around Chicago.

The Annual ESS Scavenger Hunt is THIS WEEK!

The 4th Annual ESS Scavenger Hunt (with prizes!) is live! This online event celebrates ESS’s incredible supporters with a communal activity (& prizes!)

How to play:
Each day this week, we’re sending out a short prompt via email and socials (also available here on this page) asking you to capture a specific sound from your daily life. Think of it as a mini field recording mission. Record these sounds with your phone (or write a description of the sounds you find) and share it with us by:

• Sending an email to kelsey@ess.org or

• Texting or leaving a voicemail at 773-998-1069

Be sure to include your name with your submission so we can count your entry. Anyone can participate for the fun of it, but only current ESS supporters (at any level) can win prizes (support by clicking one of the options above!).

Deadline:
Submit all your recordings by midnight on Friday, April 18, 2025; limit one recording per prompt. Winners will be chosen by random drawing. Every submission is a chance to win, so the more recordings you submit, the better your odds.

Prizes:

• $100 gift card to Rock N Roll Vintage/Synth City (in Chicago or online)

• Poetry Package including: Oily Doily by Alyssa Perry, Precious Beetles: Writings on John Yau, & List of Demands (vinyl) by Damon Locks

• Listening Package from the ESS studio: Flesh of the Fruit by Hunter Diamond, Music is a Message from Space from Corbett vs Dempsey, and October Music - Vol 4: Tim Daisy w/ Jeb Bishop. Erez Dessel. Mark Feldman. Lily Finnegan. Robbie Lynn Hunsinger. Mabel Kwan. Mai Sugimoto (relay 037)

WHY DONATE

Over a quarter of ESS's budget each year comes from modest (under $50) donations by individuals in our community. And honestly, due to the increasing unreliability of foundation and government funding, we need to grow that percentage even more. This is a for-the-people-by-the-people operation, something that we see as a major strength in terms of sustainability, mission alignment, and freedom.

With your support, we pay people who are innovating, creating, and experimenting every day (literally: the studio was in use 352 days out of last year). Nearly 80% of ESS’s annual expenses go directly to artist fees, engineers, curators, fellows, contractors, and a small—but mighty!—staff that puts on all the programs at ESS.

HOW ESS FRAMES SUPPORT

In 2025, ESS is updating our avenues of support. Instead of choosing between “Donation” and “Membership” when you support, now everyone is a Supporter, with the options to be either more “Plugged-In” or “Unplugged.” Folks who want to engage in curated experiences, like studio visits throughout Chicago, can join a special groups like Studio Group, which do have minimum annual donations. See the chart on this page for a visual of how this framework works.

WHAT DO PLUGGED-IN SUPPORTERS OPT IN TO?

Each year, Plugged-In Supporters receive invitations to:

• One special performance

• A networking and skill-sharing event

• A field trip

• Four virtual “happy hours” featuring artist talks, exclusive performances, mini-field trips, and opportunities to connect.

Plus a monthly newsletter with exclusive listening selections and opportunities to share your work via ESS’s website and e-newsletter.

Most experiences are designed to appeal to both in-person and virtual participants.