NEWS
On April 22nd 2024, more than 100 leaders from all sectors of the music industry gathered at the Rhythmic Music Conservatory for an industry day to engage in a collective conversation about the industry’s challenges regarding Mental Health and well-being and Equal Access, and what the industry should do about it.
The day started with keynotes on Equal Access and Mental Health and well-being. These presentations laid the foundation for follow-up discussions, both in sector-specific groups and in plenary sessions. The starting point for the discussions included questions about the responsibilities and opportunities each actor has to drive positive change within their specific role in the music ecosystem. The four questions discussed in the conversations and the plenary session were:
- What is my role and responsibility?
- What influence do we have in our sector?
- What does success look like?
- What can we measure?
Perseverance, Knowledge, and Professionalism
The conversations showed great engagement, and in the final plenary session, many participants felt a sense of unity within the industry, speaking the same ‘language’ about the challenges we face in ensuring equal access and improving mental health and well-being in music. It was powerful to see over 100 industry professionals from all parts of the music ecosystem come together as one group to discuss the same challenges, but from different perspectives.
Many discussions centered on the long and challenging effort needed, and how it cannot succeed without cross-sector skill development, tools, and more professionalism. At the same time, obstacles like individual interests, wanting to take ownership, and competition were pointed out as challenges to making progress together.
Specific themes, needs and initiatives discussed in the groups included:
- Targeted networks focusing on skill development and mentoring
- Joint declarations within the sectors
- More knowledge and resource sharing, e.g., through a shared database
- Diversity in recruitment and hiring
- Mandatory education on mental health and well-being
- Clearly defined roles and responsibilities – clearer agreements and contracts
- Scaling > duplicating
- Changing the core narrative about the artist and the definition of success
- Align expectations and boundaries with your target group
- Intervene early and throughout the music life
- Mentorships and apprenticeships
- Cross-disciplinary collaboration
Next steps for the Partnership for Sustainable Development in Music
In the coming months, the partnership will facilitate the following processes to strengthen mobilization and collaboration:
- Update the Code of Conduct for Equal Access in Music to improve practical relevance.
- Facilitate workshops in Copenhagen, Aarhus, and Aalborg focused on measuring diversity.
- Co-create and develop initiatives to improve mental health and well-being in the industry based on research recommendations.
