Meet the EMBTF VOL. II
table of
contents
06
join/follow/subscribe/contact
FAIRNESS
AS AN OVERARCHING
VALUE FOR THE EMBTF
Fairness in the European music sector is fundamental to the sustenance and vitality of this cultural realm. At its essence, fairness revolves around the acknowledgment and appreciation of the value inherent in musical expression. It necessitates a deep understanding and recognition of the labor, creativity, and skill invested by musicians, composers, producers, and other professionals in the music industry.
Thus, fairness in the European music sector transcends mere recognition of value; it entails active efforts to diversify and democratize the industry, making it more inclusive and accessible for all stakeholders. By embracing diversity, we not only celebrate the richness of musical expression but also address historical inequalities and power imbalances within the sector.
Diversifying the European music industry is essential for fostering fairness and inclusivity.
It involves dismantling barriers to entry and creating pathways for underrepresented voices to thrive. By supporting marginalized and neglected musicians, as well as acknowledging the importance of environmental sustainability (including nature), we reshape power dynamics, redistributing influence and resources more equitably.
Moreover, fostering transparent connections within the music sector promotes fairness by promoting accountability and trust. Transparent communication and collaboration enable fairer negotiations and transactions, ensuring that all parties involved are informed and empowered.
Central to fairness is the imperative to compensate music professionals appropriately and consistently, aligning with their status as skilled practitioners. This entails not only recognizing the tangible outputs of their work, such as recordings, performances, and compositions but also valuing the intangible aspects, such as artistic vision, innovation, and emotional resonance.
Moreover, fairness in the European music sector extends beyond mere remuneration; it encompasses broader considerations of sustainability and the retention of specialized skills and knowledge. Recognizing and fairly compensating music professionals not only fosters their continued engagement but also ensures the preservation and transmission of expertise across generations. This brings us to bridging the knowledge gap, which is another crucial aspect of advancing fairness in the European music sector. Providing musicians and industry professionals with the necessary skills and tools for greater independence enhances their agency and autonomy. By democratizing access to information and resources, we empower individuals to navigate the complexities of the industry and advocate for their rights and interests effectively.
Demystifying the commercial world and the sync industry is paramount in promoting fairness and leveling the playing field for emerging artists and independent professionals. Introducing new players to these realms and providing insights into their workings cultivates a more inclusive and equitable environment. By breaking down barriers to entry and fostering a more inclusive ecosystem, we empower a diverse range of voices to participate and thrive in the music sector.
In summary, embracing diversity, promoting transparency, bridging knowledge gaps, and demystifying industry practices are all integral to advancing fairness in the European music sector. By actively working towards these goals, we create a more equitable and inclusive environment where all stakeholders can contribute, collaborate, and flourish.
As much as we are focused on the music realm this can be translated to both the cultural and creative sector and to all types of working relationships.
other core
values
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What is the Music Cities Network?The Music Cities Network (MCN) is a transnational non-profit association uniting music cities and policy makers around the globe. The network is dedicated to improving communication collaboration, business, arts & policies for all music city stakeholders. The MCN was initiated in 2016 by Sound Diplomacy and Hamburg Music Business and - after five years under the umbrella and support of Hamburg Music - legally established in 2021. Founding members are Aarhus, Bergen, Berlin, Hamburg, Gothenburg, Groningen, Manchester, Nantes, Reykjavik & Sydney. The MCN pursues a holistic approach in its work and includes all stakeholders of the music city ecosystem, including policy makers, music entrepreneurs and artists.
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What is a Music City?Being a Music City is a concept For example, it can be… : A community of any size with a vibrant music economy Beginning with artists and musicians A home to a broad range of professionals who support artist-, and music entrepreneurs in their career development Offering spaces for education, rehearsal, recording and performance Fostering a live scene with an engaged and passionate audience that provides artists with a fertile ground for developing their craft.
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Why is MCN needed?We as Music Cities Network agree that a future-proofed music industry needs to become more diverse, fairer and healthier. That is why we aim to contribute to this mission by intensifying borderless cultural exchange and business opportunities between music cities through enabling platforms empowering innovation. In the light of the ongoing worldwide crises, the existing and emerging challenges of the global music industry have become more vital than ever. We consider city networks to play an even more important role in the future, which is why we already invest into those supportive structures. Last but not least: a worldwide network of music cities, exchanging on a policy level wasn’t existing before - so someone had to do it. :)
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Why is a holistic approach necessary?In order to facilitate sustainable change in the music industry all stakeholders from artists, music entrepreneurs to policy makers need to be equally empowered and connected. Thus, to bring the greatest benefit, music must be assessed, managed and evaluated like all other forms of infrastructure, for example schools, hospitals and roads. Measurement, upkeep and reflection is the foundation of a successful music policy.
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What is our vision?We are a member-based network that actively designs hands-on solutions to bridge the gaps between all music city stakeholders: music policy makers, music entrepreneurs, artists and city marketing strategists. Our actions are aiming towards our vision to get decision makers and politicians to sustainably acknowledge music as an integrated part of city development.
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What are our key missions?1. Connect We connect with music cities, policy makers, music entrepreneurs and music artists around the globe. We jointly explore and live common transnational values, similarities and differences. 2. Learn We learn from a diverse and experienced team of music cities experts gathered within the network. We get and give advice and insights on good practices and possibilities for music cities policies. 3. Share We share and exchange knowledge on a professional music policy level. We understand ourselves as advocates for a more fair and diverse future in our cities and within the global music industry. 4. Shape We actively shape hands-on solutions to bridge the gaps between music scenes, city marketing and music policy makers. Our joint transnational activities are paving the way for Music Cities prioritizing music and culture policy actively.
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What are Key Strategies of a Music City?.. that both larger and smaller music cities can use to grow and strengthen their music economy: Music and musician-friendly policies; Music Offices; Music Advisory Boards; Engaging the broader community; Providing access to spaces and places; Diverse audience development; and, Music Tourism.
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How much does it cost to join the network?The cost to join the network is 6.500€ net per year for a full member city, which is contributing to the general financing of the Music Cities Network association (such as staff, events, projects, visibility). If you are interested in joining our network, please contact Lena or one of our board members for more information.
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How can you join the network?For more information on how to join please look at ‘Become a Member Section’.
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What does member-based mean?Member-based means that the aims and agenda are actively shaped by the members and their respective music scenes and stakeholders. Every contact person we work with serves as a doorway into and out of the music scene in every city.
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Where can I learn more about the concept of Music Cities?There are a lot of options but for example you can ready more here: The Mastering of a Music City, by Music Canada 2015, here The Music Cities Manual by Sound Diplomacy, 2019, here
How do we implement the values into our projects?
By developing innovate music exchange strategies between EU countries
By facilitating sync camps for producers and artists with brands and other partners
By making the music business language more comprehensible
By creating databases of projects supporting gender equality in music
By developing solutions to make classical venues more inclusive and sustainable
By developing global platforms for independent collectives
By developing educational programmes for independent music professionals and middle-class musicians
By providing training and resources to aspiring female and non-binary track producers
By developing tailor made coaching programmes to empower music artists
Some of our PROJECTS
*Future Updates
What they further entail
transparency
Striving for transparent communication and collaboration to enable fairer negotiations and transactions
empowerment
Ensuring that all parties involved are informed and empowered
educatiON
Providing musicians and industry professionals with the necessary skills and tools for greater independence, their agency and autonomy
insight
Deep understanding and recognition of the labor, creativity, and skill invested by musicians, composers, producers, djs, promoters, and other professionals in the music industry
KNOWLEDGE
Democratizing access to information and resources we empower individuals to navigate the complexities of the industry and advocate for their rights and interests effectively
RECOGNITION
Not only recognizing the tangible outputs of work, such as recordings, performances etc but also valuing the intangible aspects, such as artistic vision, innovation, and emotional resonance
Inclusion
Breaking down barriers to entry and fostering a more inclusive ecosystem to empower a diverse range of voices to participate and thrive in the music sector