Nicosia Ludic Lab 2026: A Contemporary Composition & Performance Residency by Atheras Peoples & Cultures

Nicosia Ludic Lab 2026: A Contemporary Composition & Performance Residency by Atheras Peoples & Cultures

Atheras Peoples & Cultures invites composers and performer-researchers to apply for the Nicosia Ludic Lab, a 31-day international residency dedicated to exploring “play” as a compositional and performative methodology in contemporary music.

Building on the artistic vision of the Toyful Music Festival, the residency creates a focused environment where experimentation, precision, and imagination coexist, redefining how music is conceived, structured, and performed.

About the Residency

Dates: 23 October – 22 November 2026

Location: Nicosia, Cyprus

Venues: tbc

The Nicosia Ludic Lab is a structured artistic laboratory bringing together international artists and a professional ensemble to develop new work from concept to performance.

The residency operates as a collaborative compositional environment, where:

• ideas are tested in real time
• materials are refined through rehearsal
• artistic decisions emerge through dialogue between composer, performer, and sound

Who Can Apply

We are selecting 4 individual composers.

• Applications are open strictly to individual artists (proposals from duets or collectives will not be considered).
• Applicants must be based in a Creative Europe country. 
• Applicants must be available for the full residency period. 
• Applicants must demonstrate a strong interest in experimental, ensemble-based practices. 
• Applicants must be no older than 35 years of age at the application deadline.

Artistic & Compositional Frameworks

The Concept of Play

The residency places “play” at the core of musical creation as a concrete method. Applicants are invited to engage with: 

• Material Play: Using toys, toy instruments, or everyday objects as musical material within a professional ensemble context. 
• Systemic Play: Translating rules, constraints, and behaviors from games into compositional structures. 

Compositional Guidelines

• Work Duration: The final completed pieces must have a duration of 7 to 10 minutes.
• Full Ensemble Focus: All developed works must be written for the entire ensemble. Works focusing on solo formats or small chamber sub-groups are not permitted. 
• No Electronics: This residency focuses purely on acoustic interplay, toys, objects, and conventional instrumentation. No electronic elements or fixed media are supported.

Ensemble & Instrumentation

Composers will develop work for the full Toyful Music Festival Ensemble, drawing from the following instrumentation:

• Clarinet / Bass Clarinet
• Flute / Trombone
• Low Brass (Tuba / Trombone / Sousaphone)
• Piano / Synthesizer
• Percussion
  (vibraphone, toms, bongos, cymbals, small percussion, waterphone, etc.)
• Toy & Object-Based Sound Sources (Toy piano, music boxes, boomwhackers, balloons, etc.)

What the Residency Offers

Selected residents will receive:

• Full financial support (travel, accommodation, daily allowance)
• Shared accommodation in central Nicosia
• Continuous access to professional ensemble
• Mentorship sessions and individual meetings with ensemble members
• Coaching sessions with composer and conductor Andys Skordis
• Artistic and professional guidance from Atheras team
• Rehearsal space and full production support for the Phase 3
• Video and audio recording of the final live concert for documentation and international visibility

Residency Structure

• Phase 1 — Trial (Days 1–5): Initial experimentation with the full ensemble, testing ludic sketches, and exploring material possibilities. 

• Phase 2 — Refinement (Days 6–23): Intensive composition adjustments, targeted mentorship sessions, and individual meetings with ensemble members to refine playability. 

• Phase 3 — Production (Days 24–31): Final rehearsals and execution of the performance-ready works

Final Output

The residency culminates in:

• A public concert featuring world premieres of newly developed works
• A public Open Studio presentation, sharing aspects of the artistic process

What to Submit

• Project proposal (max 300 words or 2–3 min video)
• Two work samples per applicant (scores + audio/video)
• Short CV(s) (max 4 pages per applicant)
• High-resolution photo(s)

Selection Criteria

• Artistic Innovation (40%)
• Feasibility (30%)
• Impact (30%)

Timeline

• Application deadline: 15 July 2026
• Results announcement: 1 August 2026
• Residency: 23 October – 22 November 2026
• Final performance: 21 November 2026

How to Apply

Send your materials to info@atheras.eu with the subject line: Nicosia Ludic Lab/Toyful – Application – [Your Name]

About Atheras Peoples & Cultures

Atheras is a Cyprus-based non-profit dedicated to cultural mobility, artistic research, and experimental practice, developing platforms where composition is rethought through new materials, structures, and collaborative processes.

More info: https://atheras.eu/open-call-for-residents-composers-toyful-2026