Oxford Contemporary Music: BOOM residency
- Date 30 January 2026 - 31 January 2026
- Location Garden Quad Auditorium, St John's College
As part of OCM's 2026 BOOM residency at St John's College, there are various seminars and performances open to the public. All public events are free, but those wishing to attend should book in advance using the links provided below.
Friday 30 January: Public Seminars (book here)
11.00am – 11:45am. Outdoor Arts in the UK – Challenges and Opportunities
Simon Chatterton of 101 Outdoor Arts presents an overview of outdoor work in the UK, and how the current arts infrastructure provides opportunities for artists. https://101outdoorarts.com
11.45am – 1pm. Going with the Flow: Panel Talk with Q and A
Eco-activist-composer Emma Welton and Burn The Curtain outdoor theatre co. and will discuss two very different approaches to responding creatively to the same river bank. They will cover how site-specific performances can break down the fourth wall in radically different ways, approaching the land and water-scapes through deep listening and promenade theatre. Practical aspects of outdoor work, from council permits to weather and risk management will also be covered. https://emmawelton.net/ https://burnthecurtain.co.uk
Saturday 31st January: Public Performances (book here)
13:30pm – 14:45pm. Listening with/Listening to: Celebrating Communities with Anna Braithwaite
Artist talk and performance from this prolific community artist who often works with verbatim text, local history and personal memory, contributing to systems of care and self-expression for women and people with disabilities. https://www.annabraithwaite.co.uk/communityartist
15:00pm – 16:00pm. BOOM Artists informal public sharing of works-in-progress with Q&A
To learn more about the 2026 BOOM residency and the artists involved, visit the OCM website.