Offenes Netzwerk-Forum

Am ersten Konferenztag, dem 30. Oktober um 10 Uhr, findet das offene Netzwerk-Forum statt, bei dem sich verschiedene Netzwerke vorstellen. Eine Übersicht aller beteiligten Netzwerke gibt es hier.

Baltic Contemporary Music Network

Baltic Contemporary Music Network seeks to formalise and boost cooperation between central institutions and actors in the field of contemporary art music of the Baltic States and develop a strong international cooperation and events on diverse levels and contexts. Baltic Contemporary Music Network is striving to consolidate and focus coordinated activities towards tuned development of contemporary art music events between partners in Europe. Central activities of the network are organisation of the annual Baltic Music Days festival and music export projects. Just recently we launched a three-year partnership between the Baltic and Nordic regions, designed to strengthen the ties between our music communities and promote new music across the broader Nordic-Baltic landscape. This initiative is centered around our esteemed festival platforms: Baltic Music Days and Nordic Music Days, in collaboration with the Baltic Contemporary Music Network and the Council of Nordic Composers.

Coordinated Pluriversal Time

The artistic research collective Coordinated Pluriversal Time was launched in 2023 under the initiative of Art Music Denmark, the Danish Composer's Network, and the Time to Listen Conference (inm / field notes and AdK), and is formed from six artist-researchers— Tania Rubio, Marina Cyrino, Samuel Hertz, Eduardo Abrantes, Miguel Angel Crozzoli, and Heðin Ziska Davidsen—all of whom represent a diverse range both of geographies and artistic practices. For the last few years, the collective has worked across a number of presentation formats including contemporary music festivals, sustainability conferences and federal cultural initiatives to offer a range of thought-provoking, original and experimental participatory workshops, presentations and conversations. In their work, they strive to challenge institutional and individual/artistic modes of working with topics such as climate, environment, and sustainability. The collective focuses not only on reshaping the ways in which sustainability is figured into institutional frameworks, but is also equally invested in developing non-extractive artistic practices that deal with climate devastation in aesthetic modes. 

EM GUIDE

EM GUIDE is the name of a European network of independent music magazines committed to supporting underrepresented genres and artists who, despite their cultural significance and impact, still face limited visibility and funding. The network was founded to give independent music journalism a stronger voice in Europe - and to support the magazines championing these artists that are often sidelined. We believe that independent journalism isn’t just about reporting on music; it’s about documenting cultural realities, giving context to change, and building and building connection and mutual understanding across borders. We've been operating as a collaborative network of 5 partners, and the network will soon grow to 11 partners from 10 different countries. The structures and methods that make this collaboration (sharing knowledge, content, and translation resources rather than competing for them) sustainable are a self-developed content sharing digital tool, and several joint activities - from festivals, to workshops, and even a co-published print magazine. Our goal is to strengthen independent voices so that diverse and local music cultures can be seen, read, and heard across Europe.

EUROPEAN ALLIANCE OF ACADEMIES

The EUROPEAN ALLIANCE OF ACADEMIES is a network of art academies and cultural institutions across Europe – a transnational collaboration that advocates for the freedom of the arts. Through new forms of cooperation, the participating institutions support each other and show solidarity whenever needed.

The institutions that committed to this idea come from almost every country of the European Union – a strong signal that the need for this solidarity-based alliance is high, especially in view of crises, like the COVID-19 pandemic, outbreak of wars, the rise of right-wing nationalism, and all political and cultural consequences. The partner institutions include renowned art academies, national actors in cultural politics but also smaller cultural institutions.

With a joint manifesto, the members of the alliance formulate their commitment to the European project and possibilities for future cooperation.

The former president of the Akademie der Künste, Prof. Jeanine Meerapfel, has pursued this idea for several years. In 2020, on the occasion of the German EU Council Presidency and thanks to the support of the former Federal Government Commissioner for Culture and the Media, Prof. Monika Grütters, the Akademie der Künste was able to start this Alliance.

FREQUENZ FESTIVAL

Since 2019, Frequenz has been the umbrella organisation for the Frequenz Festival in northern Germany, which maintains close ties to the Scandinavian music and art market. With a growing audience from Kiel and the surrounding districts, the organisation has expanded its structures and introduced new formats and cross-border cooperation projects. Since 2025, Frequenz and the Kiel Greenline initiative have been focusing on sustainable practices in the cultural sector to promote ecological and economic sustainability in the region. The aim is to develop innovative approaches, shift cultural life to smaller towns and regions, and contribute to the resilience of the entire ecosystem. This challenge brings together European actors and institutions and promotes cooperation. As part of Kiel Greenline, productions such as ‘Sahara Conditions’, the North German initiative ‘Showcases Nord’ and the conference format ‘Circuit Point’ are planned, including on 10 and 11 May 2026 in Kiel.

Futurs Composés

Futurs Composés is the network for musical creation in France, representing experimental and new music - 240+ members across France and Belgium - artists, ensembles, collectives, festivals, production and diffusion structures, national centers for musical creation, venues, labels, and training structures.  The network promotes freedom of musical expression and supports projects of general interest that promote an emancipatory vision of culture.

As a supportive network of members, Futurs Composés promotes exchanges and reflection on artistic, institutional, and societal issues. It observes, analyzes, and defends the interests of the sector through the active involvement of its members and acts as a liaison with professional and institutional partners. Futurs Composés develops resources and expertise on themes addressed by its working groups. It collaborates with various cultural actors to deepen reflection and carry out collective actions. Futurs Composés organizes meetings, workshops, surveys, webinars, and political actions throughout the year. 

Heroines of Sound

Heroines of Sound emerged from the Berlin scene as an interdisciplinary platform for FLINTA* composers and musicians in advanced pop, jazz, and contemporary music. Dedicated to (re)discovering FLINTA* protagonists and amplifying their presence, the festival celebrates diversity and intergenerational exchange, including non-European artists from the start. With a multifaceted program connecting music, film, and sound art, Heroines of Sound opens new perspectives on past and present musical practices and inspires innovative directions in music beyond gender discourse. Since its inception, the festival has presented over 600 FLINTA* artists from more than 30 countries and collaborates worldwide to foster sustainability, dialogue, and innovation through the fusion of artistic practice, research and theoretical reflection.

Curious, feminist, and inclusive – we strive to create spaces where disciplines intersect, perspectives multiply, and transformation unfolds.

*women,  lesbian, non-binary, queer, trans and agender

International Association of Music Centres (IAMIC)

The International Association of Music Centres (IAMIC) is a network of organisations that collectively and collaboratively provides information and promotes the music of their countries or regions. IAMIC facilitates relationships among its members, creating networking opportunities that increase capabilities that support greater access to and appreciation of music. The range of activities of each of the members varies, according to the context in which they operate, however as with many international networks, the similarities of purpose and intent far outweigh any differences. It now operates from Belgium, and comprises more than 35 organisations from Australia and New Zealand to Europe, Africa and North America.

The organisation was formed in 1958 as a group of representatives of national music information centres under the aegis of the International Music Council. In 1962, the member-organisations became a constituent branch of the International Association of Music Libraries (IAML). 

In 1986, growing activity and membership led to the setting up of the International Association of Music Information Centres (IAMIC) functioning under its own bylaws and board of directors. The affiliation with IAML ended in 1991 when IAMIC became a fully independent association. Since it’s founding it has developed into an active and respected network with connections across the global music industry.

Konstmusiksystrar

Konstmusiksystrar (Sisters in Contemporary Music) is a Swedish organisation that supports composers and sound artists who define themselves as women, non-binary or transgender people. It was founded in 2014 by composers Marta Forsberg and Lo Kristenson and currently has 300 members based in 20 countries. Our website, with its ever-expanding list of composers and sound artists, functions as a vital resource for anyone interested in diversifying the commissioning and curating of contemporary new music. We regularly arrange concerts, network meetings, workshops, panel discussions and calls for works, often in collaboration with various musical institutions. From Konstmusiksystrar’s conception, we have developed our own methods in music curation, which we implement within our collaborations. Our curatorial methods focus on community building and the challenge of established aesthetics in new music. Our project, I slumpen tjänst (In the service of chance), focused on using chance and lottery as methods to curate and challenge our thinking about selection.
 

LEAM Laboratorio de Ecología Acústica en México (Acoustic Ecology Lab LEAM)

Was founded in 2020 in response to the urgent need to understand how human activity is transforming the planet’s soundscapes and ecosystems, amid species decline and environmental degradation. Rooted in Mexico, LEAM listens to and studies these transformations from a situated and decolonial perspective, recognizing the richness and diversity of southern territories as vital sources of knowledge and creativity. 

Bridging art and science, LEAM fosters horizontal and multicultural dialogue and cultivates collaborations between independent initiatives and institutions across regions. Its mission is to build reciprocal bridges between the Global South and North—creating spaces for shared listening, epistemological exchange, and collective creation that challenge traditional hierarchies of knowledge and representation.

LEAM’s work unfolds through five core axes: research, knowledge production, artistic creation, education, and outreach—all dedicated to reimagining our relationship with sound, ecology, and community in times of ecological transformation.

Northern Connection

Northern Connection is a project connecting Nordic countries and Scotland by establishing and strengthening liaisons between composers, performers and festivals of contemporary music.

Northern Connection was initiated by Music Finland and is led by the Nordic music export offices. The project started in 2023 with the main partner countries Finland, Norway and Scotland. In 2024, its second phase was initiated with Iceland and Denmark joining. From each country there is one festival, one composer and one ensemble or performer involved.

Each music export office has organised an open call for composers, after which the artistic directors of the partner festivals have together selected one composer from each country to commission a new work from. The premieres take place in a country different from the composer’s home base, and subsequently the work is performed in several of the partner countries. The new works are designed to travel in an economically and ecologically sustainable way.

Paretzer Field Music

Paretzer Field Music is a picnic concert series for experimental music, that took place occasionally during the Covid pandemic and has been a subsidized and regular event in Paretz (Havelland/Brandenburg) during summer since 2023. Visitors are invited to bring their own picnic blankets and baskets. Seasonal products from the neighbouring gardener CAROMATISCH are also on offer. Paretzer Field Music organizes sound installations and concerts featuring improvised and new music in nature, with the surroundings and nature playing a major role. To date, artists such as Josten Myburgh & Eduardo Cossio, Le Quân Ninh, Tony Buck, Splitter Orchester, Halla Steinunn Stéfansdóttir, Lena Czerniawska, Meinrad Kneer, Hauke Harder (sound installation by Alvin Lucier), Biliana Voutchkova, Ute Wassermann, Emilio Gordoa, Alex Nowitz, Marina Cyrino, Zinc & Copper and Sabine Vogel have performed and presented their work there.

SHAPE +

SHAPE+ is a European platform for innovative music and art. It is artist-oriented, and, every year, it creates a selection of  exceptional emerging talent via open call and curatorial voting, to then foster their careers with performance invitations, collaborative residencies, commissions, seminars and networking events. SHAPE+ consists of non-profit venues and festivals, and is co-funded by the European Union and, as of July 2024, Pro Helvetia.

SHAPE+ currently consists of 18 partners in 18 countries, while adopting an interdisciplinary approach and committing to social and environmental awareness.

SHAPE+ is a three-year initiative co-funded by the European Union.

SIG9 Sound Research

This SIG group is a sound research group that considers political, social, experiential, ecological, feminist, philosophical, etc. possibilities via sound. In other words, a group that in different ways and from different sonic orientations questions and re-visions realities, everyday hierarchies and conventions as well as political, academic, and institutional realities. The aim of the group is not, or not only, to produce practice-based and discursive answers to the urgent questions of these contemporary problems, but rather to have a more sustainable investigation of the condition that produces their reality and its normalisation, i.e its acceptance as inevitable and unchangeable. To this end we propose to engage a Sonic Thinking: the imaginary of sound’s connecting logic, as well as its embodied materialisation, which meets the complexly interwoven logic of the current crises,  to understand this condition as a pre-condition, and to develop, collectively, methodologies of how to engage this condition: to produce conceptual and actual transformations and approaches that could be shared beyond the arts and humanities with (social) scientists working on their causalities and consequences. 

This SIG group acts as a vital resource dealing with current and long-standing problems of precarity, economic asymmetries, social exclusion, oppression, discrimination, climate change, etc. It is meant to model, narrate, design, inhabit, and govern a plurality of alternative ideas through sound, sound art, music, discussions, poster making, workshops, etc. 

It aims for a Sonic Futurism.

Sounds Now

Sounds Now is a European network committed to cultivating a more open, imaginative and socially responsive musical ecosystem by broadening who curates, creates and experiences contemporary music and sound art.

 At its core, Sounds Now rethinks how music reaches its audiences. Its focus is on curation, understood as the creation of meaningful connections between artists, audiences and works. The network’s activities include curating labs, residencies, new productions, curatorial commissions, symposia and research, as well as open formats encouraging new approaches to audience engagement. It also stimulates exchange and collaboration between curators across Europe.

 Through this framework, the partners of Sounds Now work together to challenge and transform social patterns of exclusion and power within the field of contemporary sonic art towards a more equitable and diverse musical landscape in Europe and beyond.

 Sounds Now is co-funded by Creative Europe and coordinated by Musica, Impulse Centre for Music. Partners include Ultima, November Music, Huddersfield Contemporary Music Festival, Wilde Westen, SPOR Festival, Transit and Time of Music.

Tone List

Tone List is an artist-run, Boorloo-based label for exploratory music. It is dedicated to the nurturing of approaches to music-making which receive little or no attention in existing structures on the west coast of the australian continent, especially where those approaches are radical or novel.

We publish recordings predominantly by Western Australian artists, and organise concerts and workshops with an intention towards strengthening the sense of community amongst experimental musicians and offering outlets for their music to be heard by a wide, engaged public. We strive to cultivate a sound culture that foregrounds generosity, altruism, courage, rigour, and connection to place.

Tone List presents the acclaimed annual Audible Edge Festival of Exploratory Music. In 2023, we were the recipient of a State Luminary Award at the Art Music Awards presented by APRA AMCOS and the Australian Music Centre.

Toolkit of Care

The Toolkit of Care is a research initiative developed through a European COST Action that has been active since 2022, bringing together creative practitioners, academics, researchers and arts/crafts organisations to form a "critical network of care." The Action's main aim is to produce a well formulated and integrated toolkit comprising articles, prototypes, audiovisual documentation, technical manuals, theoretical analysis, and data. This emerges from the collective expertise of participants who specialise in creative technologies and have considerable experience in the production and dissemination of this kind of knowledge across Europe and internationally. 

Rather than a conventional resource, the Toolkit demonstrates how technical knowledge employed in creative ways can develop methodologies of care. It acts as a model for sharing expertise across different geographical regions and social groups, bridging divides through care-centered approaches. 

This comprehensive resource combines practical prototypes with theoretical frameworks, technical documentation with audiovisual materials, creating a multi-format guide that serves diverse audiences. By orienting creative technologies through care as the organizing principle, the Toolkit provides both practical tools and conceptual frameworks for communities seeking to integrate care into their technological and creative practices.

ULYSSES PLATFORM

ULYSSES is a European platform bringing together festivals, academies and art centres to support the next generation of artists in contemporary music and sound art.

The platform offers opportunities to learn, collaborate and exchange through multi-stop journeys across partner institutions. ULYSSES artists receive commissions, take part in residencies, ensemble projects and online sessions. In-situ projects in particular broaden their artistic skillsets by exposing them to new contexts and situations that challenge them to be open, community-oriented and innovative. ULYSSES also combines artistic practice with training in essential extra-musical skills – from curation to career management – supporting artists to develop both creatively and professionally. This multi-layered approach gives emerging artists visibility and equips them with the vision, experience and connections to navigate their professional lives. In doing so, it contributes to a richer, more agile and resilient European music sector. 

The ULYSSES Platform is co-funded by the Creative Europe Programme of the European Union and coordinated by IRCAM – Centre Pompidou. Partner institutions include Divertimento Ensemble, Gaudeamus, HfMT Hamburg, impuls, IEMA, JVLMA, Mixtur, Rupert, Time of Music, Ultima, Warsaw Autumn and the Lviv National Philharmonic.