Dear colleagues and friends,
As we move into a new academic year, I’m delighted to welcome you to the latest edition of the AEC Newsletter. This season has brought with it a sense of renewal and progress, and I’m proud to share some exciting developments from across our community.
First and foremost, we celebrate the release of the ARTEMIS Brochure — a milestone that reflects the dedication, creativity, and collaborative spirit of everyone involved. This publication is a testament to what we can achieve together, and I encourage you all to explore and share it widely.
Over the summer, we’ve also been inviting applications for our new Working Groups, which will help shape the future direction of AEC’s activities. If you haven’t yet applied, there’s still time—the deadline is 8 September. These groups are a vital part of our collective work, and I warmly encourage your participation.
Our advocacy efforts have continued with strength and focus, and I invite you to read the latest updates in this edition. Whether through policy engagement, strategic partnerships, or amplifying the voice of our sector, advocacy remains a cornerstone of AEC’s mission.
Looking ahead, I would like to remind you that registration is now open for the Annual Congress. This year’s programme promises rich dialogue, inspiring sessions, and meaningful connections. Don’t miss the opportunity to be part of this key event in our calendar.
And finally, I look forward to welcoming many of you to the IRC Meeting in Budapest, taking place from 17–20 September. It will be a wonderful opportunity to reconnect, share ideas, and continue building the future of higher music education together.
Thank you for your continued engagement, your passion, and your belief in the power of collaboration. I wish you a smooth transition into the new academic year and look forward to all we will achieve together.
Deborah Kelleher, AEC President
The main event of the summer was the European Commission’s publication of the long-awaited proposal for the EU’s next long-term budget for the period 2028–2033, the so-called Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF).
The AEC welcomes the European Commission’s proposal for the next MFF, particularly the decision to maintain the programmes Erasmus+, Horizon Europe, and Creative Europe.
You are still on time to send your application for one of the four new AEC Working Groups for the period 2025–2028. Apply by 8 September 2025 and contribute to shaping the future of higher music education!
We are proud to present the ARTEMIS Outputs Brochure, a collection of resources, reflections, and tools created through our three-year Creative Europe network project AEC – Empowering Artists as Makers in Society (ARTEMIS).
Join us at the AEC Annual Congress and General Assembly 2025, hosted by the University Mozarteum in Salzburg on 6–8 November 2025, for three days of exchange, reflection and networking with the international higher music education community.
The AEC will organise Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) workshops in 2026. All its Active and Associate members can apply until 30 September 2025 to host such a workshop.
The Artistic Research Alliance (ARA) welcomes the proposed doubling in research and innovation funding set out in the first draft of the next Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF), as suggested by the European Commission.
d@rts, within the framework of the 2025 European Capital of Culture in Chemnitz, Germany, united project partners, educators, researchers, students, and local artists to explore how the performing arts can foster inclusion, cultural literacy, and dialogue.
The conference “Can Everyone Improvise?”, hosted by the University of Music and Performing Arts Graz on 26-28 March 2026, will welcome contributions on innovative practices and research in music pedagogy and inclusive learning.
We are happy to invite you to the 1000+ concerts New Audience Symposia organised online by Musethica on 11th and 18th September. Registrations are open until 9 September 2025.
The HarMA HUB project launched its new website that fosters innovation, collaboration, and resource-sharing in music theory education.
The internationalisation activities of the MUSIC4D Project continue with a transcontinental cultural initiative blending symphonic tradition and digital innovation, bringing together the voices of the ports of Southern Europe and South America in one grand musical narrative.
Contribute to the IRC 25th Anniversary
As you know, this September, we will gather in Budapest to celebrate a very special milestone — the 25th edition of the AEC International Relations Coordinators’ Meeting.
As part of the celebrations, we are inviting you to take part in a unique anniversary initiative that honours our vibrant and diverse community:
Voices of Internationalisation
A collection of your messages — in words and video — that will be showcased at the IRC Meeting 2025.
You are warmly invited to contribute in one or both of the following ways:
- Written Anniversary Message
- Video Message
Both contributions will be featured during the event.
Deadline to submit contributions: 4 September 2025
Please follow the instructions in the below form to make your submission.
AEC Events
17-20 September 2025
Liszt Academy, Budapest
Annual Meeting for International Relations Coordinators 2025
5-8 November 2025
Mozarteum University, Salzburg
AEC Congress and General Assembly 2025
12-15 February 2026
Metropolia University of Applied Sciences, Helsinki
AEC Pop and Jazz Platform 2026
9-11 April 2026
Norwegian Academy of Music, Oslo
European Platform for Artistic Research in Music (EPARM) 2026
Leadership News
New dean at Conservatorio Superior Música 'Bonifacio Gil', in Badajoz: Jesús David Valero.
AEC Vacancy Platform
Funded by the European Union. Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or the European Education and Culture Executive Agency (EACEA). Neither the European Union nor EACEA can be held responsible for them.
