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Short course

Introduction to Sound Arts Online Short Course

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<p>Introduction to Sound Arts Online Short Course | Online</p><p>Image: Work by Minsoo Chang at UAL Shows, Screen Show, 2026, London College of Communication, UAL | Photograph: Mitsi Moulson</p>
Discover the medium of sound art, from spatial sound installation and field recording to deep listening and sound poetry. Create your own short experimental sound piece or concept proposal.
Next start months
January 2027
April 2027
June 2027
Tutor(s)
Hannah Kemp-Welch
Price
From £450.00

Course description

Course overview

Taught through a combination of lectures, creative exercises, listening sessions, and peer discussion, this online course offers an introduction to sound as an artistic material beyond music. From spatial sound installation and field recording to deep listening and sound poetry, students will explore a wide range of practices and approaches.

Each class focuses on a particular theme or technique within sound art. Students will engage with both historical and contemporary works, experiment with sound as material, and begin to develop ideas for a short sound piece, sketch, or proposal.

Throughout the course, students will gain insight into the evolution of sound art, the politics of listening, and practical strategies for working with sound. The course aims to foster critical engagement with sound as a creative medium and to help students work more confidently with sound in their own creative contexts. Students will be expected to dedicate approximately one hour outside of class each week to listening/viewing tasks, creative exercises, and developing their personal project.

Who this course is for

This course is aimed at artists, filmmakers, curators, writers, performers, and curious beginners looking to expand their creative language through sound.

It is suitable for those with little or no experience in audio (beginners) who want to explore sound art from both theoretical and practical perspectives.

Necessary experience: no audio background is required – just a willingness to listen, experiment and engage with new ideas.

Key information

Topics covered

  • Histories and key themes within sound art
  • Listening as practice and method
  • Voice, body and performance
  • Sound and space
  • Radio and radiophonic practices
  • Creative composition and installation
  • Curatorial approaches
Learning outcomes

  • Identify key themes and figures in the history of sound art
  • Understand core sound art practices and terminology
  • Develop listening as a critical and creative skill
  • Produce a short experimental sound piece or concept proposal
  • Reflect on how sound can operate within own practice
  • Receive a digital badge and certificate of attendance
Materials

  • Notebook
  • Audio recording device (phone is sufficient)
Recommended:

  • Optional: free or low-cost audio editing software such as Reaper or Audacity (support will be provided)

Tutor

Hannah Kemp-Welch

Hannah Kemp-Welch is an internationally exhibiting sound artist. Her work spans field recording, composition and performance, working solo and on collective radio art projects. Earlier this year Hannah travelled to the arctic to produce a feature documentary for BBC, which was selected for Radio 4's 'pick of the week'. She teaches audio production in a variety of settings; and recently received an APA award in the Grassroots Production category for a podcast series made with parents and carers. Hannah’s work with sound extends to writing, curating and designing public programmes. She has contributed to recent blockbuster exhibitions Feel the Sound at Barbican and Nottingham Contemporary’s Your Ears Later Will Know to Listen. Hannah teaches BA and MA Sound Arts at LCC and works closely with UAL’s Creative Research in Sound Arts Practice research centre.

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