The Dutch government is slashing two hundred million euros literally overnight from the country’s arts budget. As a result, STEIM, along with many other arts organizations and music ensembles in the Netherlands, is losing funding in a drastic and devastating blow to the culture sector (read The Dark Age Netherlands). Despite all of STEIM’s activities and generous service and support to the international community, on January 1, 2013, it will lose its entire structural funding.

On any given day, the opportunities to hear live music in Amsterdam are vast; free-improvisation at a squat, experimental electronic music beamed to the moon and back at the local zoo’s planetarium, seasoned street performers, and world-class contemporary music are just a few of the flavorful events this city has to offer.

By Michael Straus
Gauging the success of an artist residency can be tricky, but my activities over the past two months in Norway exceeded even my most ambitious expectations. Reflecting back on this amazing time in Oslo, I have come up with a few ideas that I think help make an extended artist residency a success.

By Michael Straus
NOTAM exists to help local and international artists who might lack the technical knowledge or resources needed to realize a project. For over fifteen years, the organization has assisted artists and musicians working within the field of technology in the arts.

By Michael Straus
I am finally getting settled after more than a month in Oslo. The time is literally flying by, as the city loses over five minutes of sunlight a day.

Over forty concerts in two-dozen venues scattered throughout Oslo!

I really wanted to attend as much of the Ultima Contemporary Music Festival as humanly possible. I picked up an all-access pass (which can be purchased at any local 7-Eleven!) which gets me into eleven non-stop days of music.