Washington, DC – Future of Music Coalition — a national nonprofit that seeks a bright future for musicians and listeners — is gearing up for events through 2008 and 2009 that will examine the crucial issues at the intersection of music, technology, policy and law. Expanding on seminars held earlier this year in upstate New York, FMC is organizing forums in Chicago, New York City and Washington, D.C.
On Monday, September 22 – in conjunction with One Web Day – FMC will host a “What’s the Future for Musicians?” seminar at the Old Town School of Folk Music in Chicago, IL. Musicians from all genres — classical, jazz, rock, folk and hip-hop — will learn about a range of internet-based promotion and distribution options, how to navigate the health insurance landscape, the importance of open internet structures, and how copyright law and business models are affecting how musicians will be compensated in the digital future.
A second “What’s the Future for Musicians?” seminar will take place on Monday, October 6 at the Public Theater in New York, NY. Online registration for the Chicago and New York events is $25; musician scholarships and press credentialing are also available on the website.
What’s the Future for Musicians: Chicago
Monday, September 22, 2008
What’s the Future for Musicians: New York City
Monday, October 6, 2008
The seminars will be guided by a core group of presenters with a wide range of expertise related to music promotion and distribution, web development, policy, copyright and law. Attendees will have an opportunity to interact with peer-experts in breakout sessions and roundtable discussions. The “What’s The Future for Musicians?” series is co-presented by the Old Town School of Folk Music in Chicago, and the Public Theater in New York City.
This fall, FMC will also provide lawyers, musicians, advocates, academics and students with an opportunity to participate in a robust but balanced conversation about the legal and social challenges posed by music sampling. “Creative License: A Conversation About Music, Sampling and Law” will take place in New York City. Date and venue to be determined.
On February 11, 2009, FMC will hold a Policy Day at the National Geographic Society in Washington, D.C. Scheduled just two weeks after the start of a new federal administration, this one-day event will bring laser-beam focus to the core issues emerging in the courts, in Congress at the FCC and the Copyright Office, providing musicians, technologists, legal experts, advocates and entrepreneurs with expert opinions about how changes in the policy landscape could affect creators and music fans.
FMC is also looking forward to its annual Policy Summit, a multi-day event that brings artists, policymakers, legal experts, technologists and fans together for forward-thinking discussions about the issues that are emerging as music promotion and distribution moves to a global, digital platform. The Summit is planned for fall 2009.
About Future of Music Coalition
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.
About Old Town School of Folk Music
The Old Town School of Folk Music, the largest independent community arts school in the United States, teaches and celebrates music and cultural expressions rooted in the traditions of diverse American and global communities.
About Public Theater
Founded by Joseph Papp as the Shakespeare Workshop and now one of the nation’s preeminent cultural institutions, The Public is an American theater where the country’s voices, rhythms, and cultures converge. Under the leadership of Artistic Director Oskar Eustis, The Public is dedicated to embracing the complexities of contemporary society and nurturing both artists and audiences, as it continues Joseph Papp’s legacy of creating a place of inclusion and a forum for ideas. It is also the home of Joe’s Pub, which debuted in October 1998 and has quickly become one of New York City’s most celebrated and in-demand showcase venues for live music and performance. With its genre-blind booking and vast diversity of interests, the stage at Joe’s Pub gives voice to a world of varied and stellar artists.
About the National Geographic Society
The National Geographic Society is one of the world’s largest nonprofit scientific and educational organizations. Founded in 1888 to “increase and diffuse geographic knowledge,” the Society works to inspire people to care about the planet. It reaches more than 300 million people worldwide each month through its official journal, National Geographic, and other magazines; National Geographic Channel; television documentaries; music; radio; films; books; DVDs; maps; school publishing programs; interactive media; and merchandise. National Geographic has funded more than 8,700 scientific research, conservation and exploration projects and supports an education program combating geographic illiteracy. For more information, visit nationalgeographic.com.
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