16/06/2026
“The temporary suspension of normal proceedings. A hidden place, an alcove. A secret spot. A break from the usual, some time off. An escape, a breather. A bit of a rest, smoko. A nook, a niche, a cleft. A wee interregnum. An interruption, a pause, a brief respite.”
AUDIO FOUNDATION Recess is a residency open to sound artists and researchers – merging, emerging, submerging, early, mid, or late career. The aim of the residency is to provide sound artists an enclave to work in, as well as an opportunity to activate the Auckland Old Folks Association hall in a new way.
AF Recess offers time and space and a small weekly stipend. The residency is an opportunity for sound artists to process and create work in a dedicated room, in a central location, on their own schedule. Allowing residency participants to steep their creative processes within the hall walls.
The studio itself is an empty space, a blank canvas, a recess within the larger body of the building. Although the studio is diminutive there is scope to extend into other areas of the Old Folks hall, further offering unique spatial dimensions to work on one’s sonic practice. The hall is considered a living artwork with a presence and an aliveness in its decayed state that nourishes and evokes creative contemplation. The residency encourages participants to respond to the architectural constraints and rich cultural atmos of the hall itself, finishing with an artistic output (such as an exhibition or performance). Whilst there is some latitude for existing projects to be developed, preference will be given to fresh ideas that commune with the hall itself.
Such as proposals that have a community focused angle, and / or respond to the Auckland Old Folks Association (or ‘OFA’) kaupapa which fostered gatherings among its members “irrespective of status or creed”. The Auckland Old Folks Association was originally founded in 1945 to provide social services for the elderly. In 2006 artist Sean Curham joined the committee. From that moment there has been an evolving focus towards supporting artistic activations and cultural production. A gently persistent emphasis has been given to artistic and research practices that remain connected to the day to day condition of being part of a community.
AF Recess is a collaboration between the Old Folks Association and the Audio Foundation, and aims to extend and explore OFA’s kaupapa to allow sound artists and creative thinkers to experience the hall to develop ideas and projects (and potentially comingle with the regular communities who use the hall).
The duration of this residency is two to four weeks and can include public presentations at its culmination or throughout the residency (to be negotiated). There is electricity, light, Wi-Fi, access to the kitchen and a small storage cupboard.
Stipend – a nominal weekly stipend is offered along with AFtechnical support and support for public outcomes of the residency, which may include public presentation during the residency period or as part of AF programming (Performance, Gallery Exhibition, online platforms etc.)
Proposals can be sent to , with the subject title “AF Recess”. Please include documentation of your previous work, and a short proposal of what you plan to work on during the residency.
