Cryptic Nights 2027/28: Scotland-Based Sound and Technology Artists Apply by 19 November
Cryptic, the Glasgow-based arts producer, invites emerging artists who are based in Scotland to apply for Cryptic Nights 2027/28. The programme is for artists developing an existing project that uses original sound or music together with new approaches to performance, installation, screen-based art or technology. Stand-alone traditional concerts and brand-new project proposals are explicitly outside its remit.
Deadline, location and applicant eligibility
The deadline is Thursday 19 November 2026 at 12 noon in the United Kingdom. Artists must be based in Scotland and may be at any stage of life or career, provided they regard themselves as emerging or taking a new direction in their practice. People in full-time education are ineligible. This Scotland-base requirement makes it a geographically limited United Kingdom opportunity, rather than an unrestricted international call.
Support, artist fees and development opportunity
The published fee is £800 for a solo artist and up to £2,000 for a group. Selected artists receive up to two days of residency/development, an opportunity to show the developed project, one mentoring session, photographic and video documentation, marketing assistance and audience feedback. Travel and accommodation support is available to applicants based outside Scotland's Central Belt. Cryptic also describes additional access support for disabled, neurodivergent and caring artists.
What to submit and the programme calendar
Applicants must complete both the Cryptic Nights application form and the separate confidential inclusion form. The main form seeks a description of the EXISTING project and its planned development, technical requirements, examples of the work, an artist statement and reasons for applying. Responses may be written, audio or video, subject to the published time and word limits. The organisers expect a shortlisting meeting in late November or early December, informal discussions with shortlisted artists in January 2027 and confirmation of programmed artists in February 2027.
About Cryptic and previous artist projects
Cryptic produces experimental performance and interdisciplinary live art from Glasgow. Its Cryptic Nights programme has supported more than 350 artists since 2009; its official archive and current call identify previous participating artists including Anna Meredith, Rachel Maclean, Lu Sisi and SHHE. The organisation's record of performances and productions provides context for the creative and technical ambitions of the call.
Official submission and authenticity
The call and the active application form are published on Cryptic's own website, where accessible formats and alternative application routes are also set out. The form includes an inclusion-monitoring step and does not allow saved progress. Applications are considered by a named selection panel; selection and fees are not guaranteed merely by submitting.
This article provides a summary. To avoid misunderstandings, please be sure to check the official page for full details.
Information verified: 19 October 2026.
Publish an opportunity
We offer paid listings for music jobs and open calls, separately from the programme described above.