Call for applications: World Pitch training programme

The one-year programme offers 10 young professionals insight into all relevant aspects of the world music scene such as management, agency work, programming organisation, public relations, journalism, academic work and policies.

Why apply?

World Pitch training programme will offer the participants with:

• Personal one-on-one training with some of Europe’s most recognised professionals.
• A possibility to build capacity in cooperation with the main actors of the European and in fact the world’s leading world music organisations as well as gain important background knowledge in a wider cultural leadership from well-known experts.
• Great networking possibilities for participants, providing opportunities to enter the job market and fostering their job opportunities
• An opportunity to participate at the World Music Expo (WOMEX) in Tampere, Finland. The 2019 edition of WOMEX will run from 23 to 27 October 2019.
• Paid fellowships placements for five candidates with market-leading organisations in the world music scene in different areas (festivals, showcases, press, academy and venue).

Requirements

• Project description either online or as PDF.
• A motivation letter either online or as PDF.
• A CV/bio either online or as PDF inclusive of relevant links

The project only covers:

• All travel costs to workshops up to €100 person/journey.
• Accommodation at workshops up to 4/3/2 days.
• WOMEX registration and Balkan Trafik visit.

The application deadline is 16 September 2019. 

To apply, send all the requirements to forum@forumanepmuveszetert.hu.

The training will be conducted in four modules:

Module I

This package will include a two-day workshop at the 2019 edition of WOMEX and a one-day visit at the event for insight and networking opportunities. The workshop will focus on world music, applied ethnomusicology, cultural and project management, networking, artist marketing and communication. Participants will each be paired with a mentor who will guide them to set project goals.

Module II

Module II consists of three main phases:

Fellowships

The participant will be required to apply for a placement in the five participating organisations. The selection process will based on the trainee's letter of motivation and professional background. Those selected will receive €2 000 that will cover their accommodation and travel expenses during the placement period from November 2019 to May 2020.

The application deadline is 29 October 2019. Successful trainees will be announced on 5 November 2019.

The five fellowship organisations are:

• BOZAR – A well-known venue for the world music genre with a strong focus on policymaking.
• Earth Beat – An Amsterdam-based promoter representing artists from around the world.
• Maetka – a Finnish agency representing Finnish artists abroad and bringing foreign artist to Finland.
• Veszprém ECoC 2023 – the picturesque county above Lake Balaton will host a plethora of music-related programmes in 2023 when it bears the title of European Capital of Culture (ECoC).
• Fórum a Népművészetért and Hangvető – A world music production company in the Central and Eastern Europe region. 

Mentoring

At this stage, the trainees will be paired with a mentor at the first workshop according to the field and goal of their own project. They will work on the project throughout the programme with the guidance of the mentor. Every trainee must prepare a 10-page paper on the development of the case study.

The application deadline is 1 October 2019.

Online discussion forums

The participant will hold discussions under the broad subject Music Cosmopolitanism. Two separate sessions will provide a platform for participants to exchange their views and check their progress in a small professional community.

Forums I and II take place in December 2019 and January 2020 respectively. The dates will be announced at a later stage.

Module III

The third module is dedicated to finalising the trainees’ own project with the help of their mentors. The participants will visit Veszprém ECoC and get a peek behind the scene and cooperate with the team of ECoC 2023.

Module  IV

Participants will present their project work with assistance from their mentors in a two-day event in Brussels, Belgium, connected to a conference and networking event. Feedback and evaluation go both ways: participants will be requested to evaluate the course, just as their contributions will be evaluated.

In the end, participants will receive diplomas and the best project will be published in Songlines Magazine.

The deadline for course paper submissions is 1 April 2020.

Read the full World Pitch programme schedule here. View the original call here.