Oxford Contemporary Music selects five artists for BOOM scheme

Summarised from 2 outlets · Updated 17 Oct, 13:32 · Archive

Oxford Contemporary Music has selected five artists for its 2026-27 BOOM talent development programme supporting music, sound and performance creatives.

Oxford Contemporary Music (OCM) has selected five artists for its expanded 2026-27 BOOM talent development scheme. The annual programme supports creatives working in music, sound and performance, offering mentoring, financial support and gatherings. It aims to equip artists with the skills and experiences to create work for outdoor, alternative and digital spaces, with a particular focus on under-represented voices in the arts.

The selected cohort includes Somali feminist artist Ayan Cilmi, based in Bristol, whose practice blends textiles, sound and technology. She co-founded the Dhaqan Collective and co-created The House of Weaving Songs, a domed steel installation that plays archival recordings of Somali women through touch-responsive tapestries. The other four selected artists are multidisciplinary musician Chisara Agor, sound artist Kat Pegler, interdisciplinary creative Maya Chowdhry, and UK-Iranian singer and community artist Roxana Vilk.

One of the five places has a data sonification focus in partnership with the Centre for Environmental Data Analysis (CEDA). Noel Lobley, director of OCM, said the new cohort is 'really exciting', with artists 'openly approaching clear transformations in their work' and 'fully committed to listening with nature, with communities and with care'.

Oxford Contemporary Music selects five artists for BOOM scheme — Image: Oxford Mail

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How it is being reported

Oxford arts scheme selects five rising talents for new cohortOxford Contemporary Music (OCM) will support the cohort through its annual BOOM programme, which nurtures creatives working in music, sound and performance.Oxford Mail · 17 Oct, 13:00
Oxford arts scheme selects five rising talents for new cohortOxford Contemporary Music (OCM) will support the cohort through its annual BOOM programme, which nurtures creatives working in music, sound and performance.Oxfordshire Guardian · 17 Oct, 13:00

In this story: Oxford Contemporary Music · Ayan Cilmi · Chisara Agor · Kat Pegler · Maya Chowdhry · Roxana Vilk · Centre for Environmental Data Analysis · Oxford

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