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The IAMIC (International Association of Music Information Centres) conference, held in Vienna from November 19 to 22, 2024, brought together music information centers from 19 countries worldwide, including Austria, Belgium, Croatia, Czechia, Denmark, Estonia, Germany, Iceland, Ireland, Lithuania, New Zealand, Poland, Scotland, Serbia, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, the United States, and Wales. A diverse group of music professionals, experts from various fields, and artists gathered to exchange ideas and explore the theme of sustainability in the music sector through a rich program of lectures, workshops, panel discussions, and concerts.
On the first day, November 19, the conference opened with a formal ceremony, followed by a presentation by Gordana Crnko, Director of Brunnenpassage Wien, on transformative art practices at Brunnenpassage. Martina Gollner and Christina Riedler addressed improving accessibility for people with various disabilities, while musician Daniel Courtney explored the challenges of mental health in the music community. In the evening, participants enjoyed a guided tour of the Arnold Schönberg Center, and the day concluded with a concert at the prestigious Musikverein as part of the Wien Modern festival.
The second day, November 20, began with a lecture by Gwendolenn Sharp, president of the non-profit organization The Green Room, on the role of music in creating a more sustainable future. Axel Petri-Preis, a professor at the University of Music and Performing Arts Vienna, discussed music mediation as a tool for social change. This was followed by participant presentations: Daniel Antal introduced the Slovak comprehensive music database, Vanessa Reed from the United States spoke about the New Music USA initiative addressing inequalities in music, and Jonathan Grimes from Ireland shared insights into the podcast We Only Want the Earth. After a short break, further presentations showcased projects from various music information centers. Agnieszka Cieślak-Krupa (Poland) presented the concept of Renewable Music, Signý Leifsdóttir (Iceland) discussed Metamorphonics, and Deborah Keyser (Wales) highlighted the initiatives Bwthyn Sonig and Peblo Pengwin. The day concluded with a World Café discussion on sustainability.
The third day of the conference, November 21, focused on innovative approaches to curating music events. The panel discussion, How to Encourage Risk-Taking in Curation, featured prominent experts, including the distinguished young violinist Judith Fliedl, Wien Modern Artistic Director Bernhard Günther, and Anton Bruckner Private University professor Irena Müller-Brozović, moderated by Ulla Pilz. The evening was marked by a concert by the renowned ensemble Klangforum Wien at the Wiener Konzerthaus.
On the final day, November 22, Daniel Courtney addressed mental health advocacy within the music industry, and the IAMIC Innovation Panel facilitated interactive idea exchanges through a World Café format. This was followed by a Luck Circle session, aimed at networking and problem-solving, and the conference concluded with a general assembly.
The IAMIC conference offered participants not only the opportunity for professional growth through diverse content but also the chance to forge new connections and exchange ideas that will shape a more sustainable future for the music sector.
Representing the Croatian Music Information Centre, the conference was attended by head of the Croatian MIC Jelena Vuković, Editor adviser Davor Merkaš, and General Manager of the Vatroslav Lisinski Concert Hall, Nina Čalopek.
Jelena Vuković
