Red Bull Music Academy heads to Madrid

The Red Bull Music Academy 2011 will be held in the exceptional surroundings of Matadero Madrid. Set in one of the most remarkable industrial architecture sites of early 20th century Madrid, the industrial complex is currently being transformed into the Spanish capital's biggest centre for contemporary creation.

The Red Bull Music Academy - to be held from October 23 to November 25 - will lay the foundation for musical activities at Matadero Madrid.

approach to culture

Matadero Madrid aims to foster an integral approach to culture and to become a vibrant laboratory for the development of new cross-disciplinary projects in performing and visual arts, design, music, dance, architecture, urban planning, landscape design, fashion, literature, cinema and thought.

The academy should have been staged in Japan, and a release from the organisers of the yearly programme said they were sorry it could not have happened.

A 9.0-magnitude earthquake and a subsequent tsunami, forced the organisers' decision to move the event.

"Setting up an Academy is a year-long process of establishing links with local artistes and cultural institutions, creating a dedicated local team of about 100 people, securing international lecturers, dealing with authorities regarding permissions, booking nights in conjunction with local promoters, as well as building studios and refurbishing a building as an inspirational space," the release read.

According to the academy, it was not possible to continue and many persons who had already applied cancelled. The same was true for artistes who were requested to lecture and perform in Tokyo.

The academy has, however, come out to say, "Our involvement in and contribution to the musical landscape in Japan will not stop."

Bearing in mind the issues in Japan, the deadline for applying to the 2011 version of the academy is April 26.