Futures of Listening Symposium #1
Artistic reflections on spatial sound as a shared way of knowing
Listening is reaching further in several directions at once: towards ecological processes that unfold beyond human perception, into stories that move through space, and through instruments shaped by the artists who use them. In each of these, the listener is not only an observer but part of the inquiry.
On 4 December 2026, the Futures of Listening consortium, founded by FIBER, 4DSOUND, Robin Koek and Art of Sound with a wide range of partners, presents its first public symposium: a full-day gathering at the Royal Conservatoire The Hague on spatial sound, listening and immersive experiences.
The symposium introduces research of Futures of Listening and links this to the broader field of spatial sound and neighbouring artistic and academic disciplines. It covers a wide range of topics: from the importance of listening in relation to ongoing social, ecological and political crises, to how spatial sound technologies and venues could be made more intuitive and accessible to a wider group of makers, and how new constellations of sound and other media can lead to deeply embodied experiences.
For its first symposium, the consortium presents a programme focused on research and methodological approaches to spatial sound in relation to three thematic areas of knowledge production: Sonic Environmental Agency, Immersive Narratives & Perceptual Methods and Spatial Audio Instruments & Interfaces. These themes are three of the key areas of research, and the symposium provides makers, designers, students and educators with an opportunity to reflect on current developments in spatial sound and immersive research, and to engage in dialogue on these topics.
The affiliated researchers, along with invited speakers and curators of the programme, will each make their initial contributions, strengthened through dialogue with the visitors. The programme combines keynotes, panels with Art of Sound alumni presentations and live performance contributions. Particular attention is paid to the role that spatial sound can play in shaping knowledge through interdisciplinary collaboration.
What can we learn from methods which apply spatial sound as a way of engaging with and interpreting complex systems, with special attention to environmental, social and more-than-human relations and realities? What new forms of composition and dramaturgy might enable meaningful, interdisciplinary and non-linear immersive sound experiences? What technologies, interfaces and methods are needed to translate perception-driven approaches into tangible outcomes, enabling new dynamics of spatial composition, immersive storytelling and diverse modes of sensory engagement?
In the early evening, performance contributions shift these inquiries from theory into a live concert format.
Are you a maker or researcher – whether a professional or a student – with active experience or an interest in spatial sound, immersive experiences and sound art, also in relation to environmental and social issues? The symposium will provide you with new insights and offer the opportunity to meet other practitioners working in this field.
We hope to bring together a diverse group of people: from sound artists and composers to live performers, academics, producers, scenographers, installation artists, media artists and people with a keen interest in sound. Even if you’re not working or studying in the arts, you’re very welcome!
FIBER Festival, 4DSOUND, Robin Koek, Art of Sound, iii, PXL
Regular: € 24,50
Students: €12.50 (valid student card at entry)
Students of the Royal Conservatoire The Hague can attend with a free ticket (subject to capacity).
Futures of Listening takes an inclusive approach to pricing for its events and workshops. If you would like to participate but the cost is too high, please reach out to us. We are aware that working and studying in culture, and living in the Netherlands, comes with high costs. At the same time, we would like to appeal to anyone who can afford the existing prices to pay them, as this also makes it possible for others to participate. Please contact us at info@futuresoflistening.nl.
Futures of Listening is a Netherlands-based platform supporting emerging developments in spatial sound, immersive experiences, performance and installation art. Founded by FIBER Festival, 4DSOUND, Robin Koek and Art of Sound at the Royal Conservatoire The Hague, the initiative connects artists with a broad network of artistic, scientific and cultural partners.
This symposium is made possible with the support of Creative Industries Fund NL, CIIIC, Art of Sound (Royal Conservatoire The Hague) and the Amsterdams Fonds voor de Kunst, and is part of the ADRIE Consortium Programme.
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10.00 – 17.00 | Symposium
19.00 – 20.00 | Performances
