isaScience 2019 – Interdisciplinary Conference of mdw – University of Music and Performing Arts Vienna; Organisers: Dagmar Abfalter, Marko Kölbl, Rosa Reitsamer, Fritz Trümpi (Web)

Time: 07.-11.08.2019
Venue: Hotel Marienhof, Reichenau an der Rax, Austria
Proposals by: 17.03.2019

The history of music as labour and music labour markets in particular is characterised by manifold processes of institutionalisation, globalisation, digitalisation and collaborations. From the mid-nineteenth century onwards, these processes have steadily increased, involving a range of different actors and institutions such as the music and media industries, music conservatories or community music initiatives that are guided by distinct conventions and shared beliefs (“art worlds”) as well as by frequently conflicting (economic) interests that have also resulted in resistance and power struggles as well as divergent practices. The “production of culture” perspective has been helpful to study these processes with respect to the changing roles of professions and educational institutions, to gatekeepers and to mechanisms of inclusion and exclusion.

However, the history of music as labour is also shaped by stark social inequalities based on gender, sexuality, race, class or dis/ability. Subsequently, numerous initiatives such as “Help Musicians UK”, #MeToo or “We Have Voice” have been initiated, fighting discrimination and misconduct and aiming to bring about social change in music labour markets and in broader society. Nonetheless, … read more (Web)