What is the ASC?

The Art Song Challenge (ASC) is a European platform dedicated to fostering artistic excellence, diversity, and collaboration in the field of song.

It operates as a network that creates performance opportunities and long-term career pathways, connecting artists with festivals and strengthening collaboration across the festival network itself.

The ASC rethinks how song is discovered, presented, and experienced by creating an open, accessible and international framework for artists and audiences.

“Reinventing the Art Song”
– BackstageClassical

Our
Mission

ASC treats all genres of song on equal footing, from classical art song to pop, folk, political, electronic and world music. It creates a space where artistic traditions meet and new conversations between artists and audiences emerge.

The ASC encourages innovation and artistic curiosity, while remaining connected to the European tradition of song.

Partner
Festivals

Four festivals. One shared commitment: opening new pathways for artists and shaping the future of song across Europe.

LIEDBasel (CH)

LIEDBasel explores song as a contemporary and interdisciplinary art form. Rooted in Basel and open to new perspectives, the festival brings music into dialogue with literature, performance and the realities of life today.

Leeds Song (UK)

Founded in 2004, Leeds Song is one of the UK’s leading festivals dedicated to the art of song. Its programme brings exceptional international artists and audiences together through recitals, new commissions, education, young artist development and performances across the city.

Liedstadt (DE)

Liedstadt creates unexpected encounters centred around the human voice. Moving between concert halls, galleries, wine bars, living rooms and public spaces, it brings classical song into conversation with musical theatre, hip-hop, jazz and other art forms.

Schubertiada (ES)

Set in the historic surroundings of Vilabertran, the Schubertíada is an internationally recognised festival for song and chamber music. Inspired by Schubert’s legacy, it brings leading artists and emerging voices together in intimate and concentrated musical encounters.