This course covers all the important areas of the music business within five days: marketing, career development, cultural funding, taxes and rights - concentrated knowledge so that you can confidently advance your career even without an agency by your side.
Session 1: Introduction & Historical Development
What is music? Creation – interpretation – communication
Key players in the musical landscape and their perspectives
The concert: tradition, repertoire, dramaturgy, and audience experience
Session 2: Cultural Policy Stakeholders
Overview: Berlin, Germany, international
Structures and decision-making processes in cultural policy
Cultural policy at the local, national, and international levels
Session 3: Cultural Funding
Funding opportunities at EU, federal, state, and municipal levels
Fundraising, sponsorship, foundations
Applications and grant proposals
Developing funding plans
Practical case studies
Session 4: Accounting & Taxes
Basics of accounting and financial reporting
Tax-related issues for musicians and ensembles
Legal structures for projects and ensembles
Artists’ Social Security Fund (Künstlersozialkasse)
Session 5: Rights & Media
Types of contracts and legal relationships
Copyright law and collecting societies
Legal structures of presenters, producers, and ensembles
Associations, unions, and collective agreements
Employment law aspects and negotiation strategies
Session 6: Marketing & Self-Presentation
Website and social media strategies
Networking and outreach
Writing biographies & creating a portfolio
How do I present myself successfully?