Soundpainting Academy
Klik hier voor Nederlands
What is soundpainting?
Soundpainting is a multidisciplinary sign language used to create art on the spot. This language, invented by Walter Thompson in 1974, currently consists of some 1,500 characters and is used worldwide by artists, art teachers, students and non-professionals. One soundpainter fronts an ensemble and conducts the group of musicians through gestures.
Whether you want to make music in small groups or work multidisciplinary with a group of a hundred people, soundpainting is the ideal tool to put creation first. Both soundpainter and performers are challenged to create on the spot. Because soundpainting is easy to learn, both beginners and advanced performers can make music together and use the language in all possible contexts. Soundpainting develops the player's musicality, creativity, technique and musical memory.
During this three-day workshop, you will be introduced to or further deepen your understanding of the universal language of soundpainting, a useful musical tool for your own teaching or artistic practice. You will learn to soundpaint yourself by getting to know the soundpainting characters and you will learn to play in an orchestra. And of course you will not do this alone, but under the guidance of leading sound painters and with the members of the Safety Last Soundpainting Ensemble as living examples. You finish with a presentation moment (on a silent animation film) in the concert hall of Music Centre De Bijloke.
Who is it for?
Deeltijds Kunstonderwijs (part-time art education)-teachers or (professional) musicians, dancers and performers who want to apply the language of soundpainting in their own teaching or artistic practice.
By who?
Praktical info
- Data:
- Wednesday 19, Thursday 20, Friday 21 August from 09:30 until 16:30
- Saturday 22 August concert on Bijloke Wonderland at 15:00
- Welcome back day on February 6th 2026 from 10:30 until 15:30
- Location: Music Centre De Bijloke, Bijlokekaai 7, 9000 Gent
- Registration fee: €200. Register by filling in this form. Payment details can be found in the link. Deadline: Monday June 1st
- Please note there is a maximum of 30 attendees for this Academy. Don't wait up!
- Cancellation of your registration possible up until August 1st (minus €20 administration cost). After this date, the registration fee will not be reimbursed
Soundpainting Academy is a coproduction of Music Centre De Bijloke & MATRIX (Centre for New Music) in cooperation with the Safety Last Soundpainting Ensemble