IMC Statement on Ukraine

The IMC declares the strongest stand against the denial of fundamental rights, including the Five Music Rights, taking place in countries across the globe and most egregiously being committed by the Russian government and armed forces against the people of Ukraine in flagrant disregard of obligations under international law.

Acting on this stance, IMC has withdrawn from the designation of Moscow as the planned venue for the General Assembly and IMC Board Meetings in June of 2023.

A decision has also been made not to hold or participate in any meetings or events in Russia until an end to the war.

EMC Fellowship Programme

The EMC Fellowship Programme offers emerging professionals working in the field of music an opportunity to internationalise their careers and to develop professionally.

For one year (with the possibility of extension for a second year), up to 10 young people are invited to take part in the EMC Lab 2022, get exclusive access to further EMC events (e.g. the European Forum on Music 2023) and are included in the EMC’s internal (membership) communication.

Apply now!

Rachael Xu's concert raises funds for IMC Global Friends Programme

(Photo Courtesy of Yong Nie)

April 1, 2022 marked a very special day for 12-year-old Rachael Xu, who gave her very first live accordion solo concert at Gade Community Concert Hall in Chengdu, China, to an audience of 200 people.

Rachael played a 11-piece program, varying from classical, light jazz, ethnic, to pop music. Her performance truly captured the hearts of the audience and received a long standing ovation afterwards.
Rachael will donate the 1500 EUR income from ticket sales to the “Global Friends” program of the International Music Council, so that more children globally will have the opportunity to have access to education through music.

This was the first off-line event after the postponement due to the global pandemic. In the following months, Rachael will take her talent to many other cities across China and Asia, thereby also working towards her goal of donating 10,000 Euro to IMC on this year to year tour.

The global pandemic has slowed down the pace of events, but not her desire and determination to use her talent to support the Five Music Rights.
Rachael was born and raised in the city of Chengdu, hometown of the giant pandas, located in Southwest China. She is currently a 6th grader at Chengdu Montpellier International Primary School.

SHIFT: Implement the shift eco-guidelines for networks now

The SHIFT partners are really proud to release the Eco-Guidelines for Networks as a result of a collaborative process between the partners, Green Leisure Group and Creative Carbon Scotland. The eco-guidelines are structured in such a way, that they could in the future be integrated into a certification scheme specifically for cultural network- and platform-organisations. The project partners consider the guidelines as a first step toward filling a gap in the environmental certification offering, as well as a tool that can be implemented to achieve change, starting today.

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EMC stands in solidarity with the people of Ukraine and the music sector in all its diversity

The International Music Council joins its regional group for Europe, the European Music Council, in expressing our solidarity with Ukrainian colleagues and people.
We are deeply concerned about the lasting consequences of the war for the entire world and the threats that it represents for human and cultural rights.
We stand behind the actions of support undertaken by EMC, members in Europe and our European partner networks.

EMC Statement

The invasion of Ukraine by Russian armed forces is an appalling act of war on a sovereign and peaceful European country. The Board of the European Music Council is shocked by the current situation and the loss of innocent lives.

We stand in solidarity with our Ukrainian colleagues and the Ukrainian people as they stand up to the Russian invaders. We express our empathy with all who are currently fleeing from the terrible attacks and trying to save their lives and those of their families.

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#Culture2030Goal: Toward a Culture Goal in the Sustainable Development Agenda

The potential of culture to drive sustainable development is too often unrealised. In a world where resilience, creativity, cohesion and a people-centred approach are more essential than ever, we simply cannot afford to leave culture out in our efforts to respond to global challenges and build a better world.

How can we ensure a higher place for culture on the agenda, and so trigger the necessary shift of paradigm?

The Culture 2030 Goal campaign Mondiacult x ResiliArt event will explore how to do this, and the potential for a more explicit prioritisation of culture to make a difference. In doing so, it will also offer insights into how we can do better today, both in designing culture policies that support sustainable development, and in designing sustainable development policies that integrate culture fully.

Save the date for 15:00-17:00 UTC (9:00 - 11:00 Mexico City time) on 28 February to join the conversation!
opment framework look like? Join us to share your ideas!

Register here

MusicAIRE – An Innovative Recovery for Europe

Managed by the European Music Council and Inova+, MusicAIRE offers small grants for music organisations for projects focusing on the green, digital or just and resilient recovery of the music sector. The music sector is one of the sectors hit the hardest by the COVID-19 pandemic and will be one of the last sectors to come out of it. The crisis has highlighted and accelerated many challenges which the sector had already been facing. At the same time, it has also highlighted the importance of music for individuals and society as a whole, it has demonstrated its power to unite and to connect people through music.

Make sure to carefully read the call for proposals and FAQs before applying!

Deadline: 28 March 2022, 13:00 CET

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SHIFT: #MeToo in the Arts - From call-outs to structural change

Research-informed recommendations for network organisations on combating sexual harassment and power abuse in the European cultural sector

In light of developments since 2017, when the #MeToo movement rose to global prominence, the SHIFT – Shared Initiatives for Training partners (nine European cultural networks and platforms) made a common decision to focus on sexual harassment and power abuse in the European art world. Produced by IETM – International network for contemporary performing arts, On the Move – OTM, and FACE – Fresh Arts Coalition Europe, this publication is the culmination of the SHIFT project’s work on Gender and Power Relations.

Through research and main observations, this SHIFT publication starts by nuancing some preconceptions about the status quo of Gender and Power Relations in the arts while taking into consideration the diversity of contexts in Europe. Using a transnational, cross-border approach, the publication also puts forward recommendations and solution-oriented strategies for the arts sector in general – and European cultural networks in particular – for combating sexual harassment and power abuse, and creating equitable and safe professional environments for art workers. It further includes concise “stories of change”; case studies derived from interviews which instigated a structural process of change in a given context.

Download the full publication