About MESS

Based in Melbourne Australia, MESS is a unique not-for-profit organisation dedicated to the creation of electronic sound and music.

The heart of MESS is the MESS Studio, a fully functioning sound production workshop representing one of the most unique, eclectic and historically significant collections of electronic instruments in the world. Working from within the studio is the MESS School, a place for people to engage with the history, technique and artistry of electronic sound and music creation presented in a format that is flexible, affordable and artist driven. Work created at the studio and school is supported by MESS Show to promote unique performance events and recording releases reflecting the diversity of sound created at MESS alongside historical releases from the vault of Australian electronic music . Finally MESS Schematic maintains the instruments in the MESS Studio collection and acts as a repository of knowledge. In the future we aim for it to become a space that also supports the development of new instrument ideas focussing on design, engineering and construction.

MESS is an independent, inclusive and culturally broad organisation, reflecting the history of the field, supporting those currently involved in creation, as well as ensuring and encouraging its vibrancy, diversity and legacy into the future. Wherever it is, MESS will create an environment based on encouraging physical interaction between artists and instruments. This is a place where coincidence, chance and curiosity allow and encourage people to interact with each other and with the collection. MESS maintains independence through a diverse funding model drawing on private patronage, membership donation, and cultural institutions.

MESS uses this funding to further the key aims of the organisation:

  • To document, support and encourage electronic sound and music creation in all its forms.

  • To gather and sustain the history of electronic sound creation centred around the collection and maintenance of electronic sound instruments and devices.

  • To make all electronic sound devices held in the MESS collection accessible for use to the widest range of people possible as creative and educational tools. To maintain these instruments for use by subsequent generations.

  • To educate people regarding the history, technique and process of the creation of electronic sound and music. To promote and stimulate interest in electronic sound and music by engaging and educating young people via schools and community organisations.

  • To ensure and encourage cultural diversity in the people who interact with the organisation and to reflect the unique impact of Australian culture on electronic sound creation.

  • To support, promote and advocate for electronic music artists who interact with the organisation.

MESS acknowledges the Wurundjeri people as the traditional owners of the land on which the MESS stands, and respectfully recognises Elders past and present.

MESS projects and program are supported by the Australian Government through The Australia Council for the Arts.

MESS projects are supported by the Victorian Government through Creative Victoria.

MESS projects are supported by the City of Melbourne through Arts Melbourne.

MESS is housed at the Meat Market under their Studio Program.

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MESS is people, sound & electricity  MESS is people, sound & electricity  MESS is people, sound & electricity  MESS is people, sound & electricity  MESS is people, sound & electricity  MESS is people, sound & electricity  MESS is people, sound & electricity  MESS is people, sound & electricity