IAMIC Conference 2024 – Vienna

23 representatives from 19 international music information centers, including those from New Zealand
and the USA, met in Vienna in November for the annual IAMIC Conference and Meeting. The overarching theme was sustainability, with a focus on aspects of social sustainability in addition to ecological sustainability.

The first day of the conference was spent in the Brunnenpassage, which offers a particularly low-threshold service in a gentrified part of Vienna and appeals to and involves people from different cultures and social backgrounds. The Brunnenpassage, which is located in a converted original market hall, also tries to operate as sustainably as possible from an ecological perspective, as Gordana Crnko, head of the music program, explained. In addition, topics such as accessibility, mental health in the music business and music mediation as a means of social change were addressed as aspects of social sustainability. Gwendolenn Sharp brought up interesting comparisons and possible courses of action with regard to dealing with the climate crisis in the business sector – she particularly emphasized that we should not only pay attention to consumption in our own country, but that the huge production of electronics, which is usually outsourced to other parts of the world, must also be taken into account. And streaming also means a significant consumption of resources. All of this clearly shows how much sustainability should be considered comprehensively and from many perspectives in order to be able to take appropriate action in the music sector.

Based on the feedback from members after the previous conferences, more space was also given to the exchange between participants. For example, six members presented their own projects and provided insights into their work. In addition, World Cafés were held where participants could exchange ideas. This was also used to reflect on the further development of IAMIC and to collect ideas for the future. The outcomes were collected and incorporated into the ongoing work by the activity groups. For example, a Code of Common Values is being developed and a new IAMIC website is being created. Many members also found the Luck Circle led by Vanessa Reed particularly helpful. In this format, the participants describe a problem from their day-to-day work to each other in small groups – the feedback from other participants can not only provide a different perspective on the topic, but sometimes also help with suggestions for solutions.

mica – music austria organized the conference in cooperation with the Wien Modern festival and the Wiener Konzerthaus. The visit to the Arnold Schönberg Center as well as concerts and events at the Wiener Konzerthaus and the Musikverein with ensembles such as Klangforum Wien, Cantando Admont and PHACE provided the artistic framework.