The six priorities 2024–2027:
1. Advocacy and Policy Engagement
The EMU will actively promote the cultural, educational, and societal relevance of music and art schools in Europe:
- Developing and implementing a strategy for initiatives at EU level, building on and supporting national strategies
- Advocate for free and high-quality Early Childhood Music Education (ECME) across all European countries.
- Prepare and launch a new EMU Declaration that outlines:
The current environmental, social, and educational challenges facing music schools
The role of music and art schools in promoting inclusion, diversity, and well-being
The commitment of music and art schools to sustainability and innovation
The fundamental values of access to arts and music for all and their role in building communities, citizenship and democracy
Collect and communicate reliable data through the EMU Statistics 2025 project to support evidence-based advocacy.
2. Member Support and Engagement
The EMU will strengthen member engagement and exchange opportunities throughout the year:
- Create an online format, the EMU Members Lounge, to inform members about the work of the board and promote exchange on relevant topics
- Establish regular EMU Spotlight webinars with outstanding speakers on key topics (e.g. digital innovation, sustainability, inclusion).
- Relaunch the EMU News Bulletin to share updates, insights, and success stories.
- Improving the visibility and relevance of the Annual General Assembly & European Music School Forum as a key platform for Europe-wide dialogue and cooperation.
- Develop Special Interest Groups to deepen exchange among national associations and promote mutual learning
- Relaunch the Meeting of the Boards as a strategic leadership platform, bringing together board members of national music and art school associations across Europe
3. European Partnerships and Strategic Alliances
The EMU aims to position itself as a strong European cultural network:
- Finalize and promote MusiQuE Quality Standards for music schools.
- Continue cooperation within SCHEME, including outcomes from Artemis and initiatives for teacher qualification and mobility.
- Strengthen existing partnerships with European networks and build new alliances with relevant organizations such as Culture Action Europe, YMTE and others.
4. Capacity Building for Music and Art Schools and Educators
The EMU will expand and support professional development and innovation:
- Evaluate and diversification of capacity-building seminars.
- Establish a knowledge pool of outstanding speakers on key topics
- Implement resources and learning hubs (e.g. mix-website) in the EMU website.
- Promote and disseminate innovative projects and best practices of members.
5. Participation and exchange of Music and Art School students
The EMU will promote active student participation and cross-border cultural exchange:
- Strengthening the voices of students in the development of music and art schools and support members in their efforts to do so
- Support large-scale festivals and develop smaller, diverse local events.
- Facilitate low-barrier student exchange formats in collaboration with national associations.
- Explore the possibility of a pilot collaboration with the European Union Youth Orchestra (EUYO) for new pathways for student engagement at the highest levels.
6. Organizational Development and Public Relations
In order to achieve its goals, the EMU will optimize its working structure and public relations:
- Develop and launch a new EMU website with a dynamic design and logo
- Introduce a public newsletter for all interested institutions and individuals.
- Develop a social media strategy to reach a wider audience and increase EMU’s visibility.
- Review and update EMU’s vision and mission statement in line with current challenges and future aspirations.
- Develop and implement a membership growth strategy to attract new members and expand EMU’s impact.
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