Artists, educators, builders, engineers, software creators, researchers, community organizers. If you have something to teach, demonstrate, or perform that will resonate with people who care deeply about electronic sound, you're a candidate.
Performance at NAESE is baked into our DNA.
From daytime listening sets to late-night performances, NAESE features artists who have something to say and formats designed for genuine listening. The emphasis is on intentional sound and strong presentation, not genre purity.
You don't need to be famous. You need to be thoughtful and prepared. Strong proposals describe what attendees will hear, what your setup looks like, and what makes the performance different from a generic gig. Performance examples (links to past sets) are required.
NAESE prioritizes sessions that are practical, well-scoped, and genuinely useful.
If people leave smarter, more curious, or more capable than when they arrived, it fits. Less keynote energy, more workbench energy. Share the answers you can't Google.
Hands-on sessions are welcome. If participants will be doing something actively, the proposal should clearly describe what attendees will do, what they need to bring, and what will be provided. Strong workshops have a defined outcome — "by the end of this hour, you'll have built / patched / programmed X."
Applications open through the official submission form on the NAESE website. You can apply for performance, talk, panel, workshop, demo, or any combination — one application form, multiple application types.
Programming is curated. Proposals are reviewed for fit, clarity, quality, and how they contribute to the overall balance of the program. Clear, well-scoped proposals stand out. Applying to perform doesn't disqualify you from also applying to exhibit, and vice versa — programming and exhibitor selection are evaluated separately.
Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis with priority for earlier submissions. Specific open / close dates will be published when the application form goes live. For questions in the meantime, contact hello@naese.co.
On-site technical support through our A/V provider, Mills James, will be available for programmed sessions and performances within venue and production limits. Clear technical requirements submitted in advance help everything run smoothly.
Travel and lodging support, compensation, and recording / streaming policy all vary by role and format. Specifics are detailed in the offer letter when you're selected.
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