Washington, D.C.—On Tuesday, May 25, national research, education and advocacy nonprofit Future of Music Coalition (FMC) held a day of powerful panels and presentations on key issues impacting the music ecosystem.
Issues addressed in panels and presentation included internet regulation, international copyright concerns, the effect of the recent health care legislation on musicians, Nashville flood relief efforts and the status of legislation affecting the creative class. A live, interactive webcast brought the discussion to a global audience of artists, academics, industry professionals, journalists, music fans and more.
Video archives and programming info:
http://futureofmusic.org/eventrelated/dc-policy-day-2010-schedule
Twitter, Facebook, Flickr hashtag: #FMC10
http://twitter.com/#search?q=%23FMC10
Musicians, songwriters, telecommunications experts, music industry representatives, policymakers and arts advocates convened at New America Foundation in Washington, D.C., to examine a range of issues that affect every aspect of the music community.
Of particular interest was the “Health Care Reform and its Impact on Musicians” panel. Following an informative presentation on the recently-passed health care reform legislation by Renata Marinaro of the Actor’s Fund, Alex Maiolo of FMC’s Health Navigation Tool (HINT), Adam Huttler of Fractured Atlas and Marinaro participated in a clear-headed conversation — moderated by FMC Education Director Kristin Thomson — about how artists might benefit from reform.
Digital Music News has published a comprehensive play-by-play of this panel, among others:
http://digitalmusicnews.com/stories/052510fmc2010-2
Other highlights included a talk by FCC General Counsel Austin Schlick on the Commission’s “third way” approach to broadband oversight, a feisty panel on the controversial Anti-Counterfeiting Trade Agreement (ACTA), and an in-depth look at efforts to preserve an open internet that included representatives from the public interest and the telecommunications industry, as well as Jonny 5 of alternative hip-hop act Flobots and Rick Carnes, president of the Songwriters Guild of America.
Notable quotes:
“[Health care reform] means that there’s an opportunity for artists advocate for the changes that they still want to see happen… believe me, insurance companies are advocating for their interests, but you can still make your voice heard.”—Renata Marinaro of the Actor’s Fund on Musicians & Health Insurance panel.
http://www.ustream.tv/recorded/7201304
“We’re going to support any legislation, treaties or anything that stop this crime… it’s not just kids with computers, it’s companies. They’re making money off piracy… we have to slam the door and have a worldwide policy like ACTA because we have to be able to encompass this piracy.”—Rich Bengloff of the American Association of Independent Musicians (A2IM) on the Anti-Counterfeiting Trade Agreement panel.
http://www.ustream.tv/recorded/7200032
“Broadband deployment and adoption is something that all Americans have a right to benefit from. And access to the advanced communications networks of the 21st century is necessary for job creation, for education, for democracy and communication.”—FCC General Counsel Austin Schlick talking about the FCC’s approach to broadband policy.
http://www.ustream.tv/recorded/7203188 (starts at 24:05)
“The most critical thing we can do is to talk and meet with artists and make those relationships. It’s invaluable in terms of actual policy change around the arts. Make sure that musicians are talking to all the members — making that impact is critical.”—Maggie Juliand, Legislative Assistant for the Office of Congresswoman Louise Slaughter (D-NY) on the Congressional arts policy panel.
http://www.ustream.tv/recorded/7205423
D.C. Policy Day 2010 was also FMC’s official kickoff of its 10th anniversary celebrations. Registration for the 10th Anniversary Future of Music Policy Summit, which takes place at Georgetown University in Washington, D.C. from October 3-5, 2010, has officially opened. Earlybird discounted registration is available for a limited time for just $169.
10th Anniversary Future of Music Policy Summit
Georgetown University, Washington, D.C.
October 3-5, 2010
Event page:
http://futureofmusic.org/events/future-music-policy-summit-2010
Registration:
http://futureofmusic.org/events/future-music-policy-summit-2010
Future of Music Coalition is a national non-profit education, research and advocacy organization that seeks a bright future for creators and listeners. FMC works towards this goal through continuous interaction with its primary constituency — musicians — and in collaboration with other creator/public interest groups. More