Creating Career Pathways in Contemporary Art Music: FutureMakers

How do independent contemporary art musicians forge a career in the music industry? What knowledge, skills, and understandings are required to sustain a career in music? What environmental supports are needed to assist emerging musicians? This volume addresses these challenges through an analysis of an industry-based career development program.

The FutureMakers program, developed by Musica Viva Australia, one of the world’s leading Chamber Music providers, aims to develop artistic leadership, capacity building, and sector development in Chamber Music. The volume offers a unique perspective on the program in bringing together voices of the directors; the participants; the facilitators, including industry professionals who contributed workshops, extended conversations, and individual mentoring; and researchers. The chapters consider the many facets of building a career in the contemporary art music sector with a particular focus on Chamber Music. The accounts of experience offered through these multiple lenses provide insights into the musical and extra-musical skills and knowledge required when navigating a career in a world of global challenges and increasing complexity for musicians and the music industry.

This volume will be of use to multiple audiences. For those embarking on a career in contemporary art music the insights of participants’ experience provide a touchstone. For those who nurture, mentor, and teach future musicians, the volume provides insights into the connections needed between the academy and the music industry. For music organisations the volume points to a model of practice for building a sustainable contemporary music industry.

Margaret S. Barrett is Professor and Head of School at Sir Zelman Cohen School of Music and Performance at Monash University, Australia. Her research investigates: music learning and engagement in early childhood; the pedagogies of creativity, collaboration, and expertise; ecopolitics of music education; and creative citizenship.

Karlin G. Love is an Independent Composer, Performer, and Curator in Launceston, Tasmania, Australia, whose research practice investigates creative expertise development in Western art music.