With the music industry often renowned for struggling professionals, initiators of the project ‘Pop-Akademie Baden-Württemberg und Musikpark Mannheim’ saw the need to provide a dual support system to help the transition from raw musical talent to successful career in music. Musicians and students of the music industry can now study towards a recognised academic qualification at the Akademie, while at the Musikpark, musicians and businesses have more than 4 000 m2 of space available where they can develop new business relationships.
- 17 December 2009
More than 70% of all graduates from the programme Music Business find jobs in this field.
Nurturing local talent is the aim underlying all activities at the Akademie and Musikpark. Students attending the Akademie can study towards a BA in pop music, opting for either a conservatory approach for instruments not covered at traditional schools, or a management course. The Musikpark focuses more on giving start-up SMEs in the music industry the opportunity to advance by offering recording facilities and helping with networking, notably when it comes to funding.
Fine-tuning the raw material of music
The Pop-Akademie recognises raw creative talent as a driving force for economic development and the generation of cultural wealth. With society and markets changing, trends coming and going, and the use of digital technology now standard, the Akademie meets the need for new approaches to artist development, marketing and business co-operation, by providing the industry with highly qualified experts and creative artists.
The Akademie offers a ‘Bachelor of the Pop Academy Baden-Wuerttemberg’ in music business (event and label managers, marketing experts, artist developers and community managers) and pop music design (drummers, guitar players, DJs, bass players, keyboard players, singers, songwriters and producers). The course lasts for six terms and includes exams and two placements.
Springboard for music entrepreneurs
The EU’s creative industry generated turnover of more than €654 billion in 2003. To ensure the industry is ready to face the changing global economy and technology, Musikpark Mannheim provides start-up SMEs in the music industry with a facility where they can develop, learn and source funding in what is often a fragile business environment.
Today some 40 businesses, employing about 140 people are making the most of the premises, which include a TV studio, sound studio, workshop and meeting rooms. Musikpark also acts as a bridge between artists and booking agents, offering a one-stop shop, with dancers and musicians as well as sound and lighting technicians available.