The 12th edition of the European Platform for Artistic Research in Music (EPARM) took place at the Estonian Academy of Music and Theatre in Tallinn from 3 to 5 April 2025.

This year, the event welcomed nearly 180 participants from 23 countries , providing a vibrant forum for professionals from diverse backgrounds to engage in meaningful discussions, network, and exchange innovative ideas and approaches within the field of artistic research in music.

The EPARM 2025 programme included 21 parallel research presentation sessions and 12 research performance sessions, selected from a call for proposals exploring the following themes:

  • Artistic research that bridges different musical fields (e.g. electroacoustic and early music) or contexts (e.g. academic and health-related settings).
  • The ethics of artistic practice and research, particularly as sources of ethical decision-making.
  • The relationship between artistic research and artistic agency—both individual and collective.
  • The practical and ethical dimensions of co-created artistic research with other researchers, artists, audiences, or the wider public.

The programme opened with an introductory session featuring project presentations from Mihhail Gerts and Momir Novaković of the Estonian Academy of Music and Theatre.

The official opening event featured a musical performance as well as welcoming words from the EAMT’s rector, Ivari Ilja, the scientific advisor from the Estonian Ministry of culture, Viiviane Jõemets, Anna Maria Bordin, member of the EPARM Working Group, and Bruno Pereira, AEC Council member

This year’s keynote, titled “Trouble as method: a reflection on paralysis, pressure, and the unfinished in artistic research?”, was delivered by Heloisa Amaral of the Royal Conservatoire in The Hague. Amaral explored the fine balance between research and performance, highlighting how the pressure to produce answers can lead to “analysis paralysis”. By embracing work in progress and the unfinished, the artistic research process itself becomes a valuable form of knowledge.

Later that day, the Open Space session, facilitated by Stephen Broad (Chair of the EPARM Working Group), encouraged participants to engage in open group discussions, contributing thoughts and ideas on the conference theme using the Open Space methodology. 

The day concluded with the concert “A Researcher’s Stage: Between Tradition and Innovation”, showcasing compositions and performances by doctoral students of the Estonian Academy of Music and Theatre (EAMT): Ekke Västrik, Alisson Kruusmaa, Tuuri Dede, Fortunato Salvador Garcia Piquer, Momir Novaković, Francesco Russo, Marcelo Politano, along with alumni Vittoria Ecclesia and Kristi Kapten (both PhD in Music). They were joined by lecturer Mari Poll-Novaković and students Darja Goldberg, Elisabeth Pae, and Hyerin Youk, under the direction of Professor Robi Varul.

The second day opened with the Information Forum, a space designed to connect participants and showcase ongoing projects in the cultural sector. It offered opportunities for inspiration, dialogue, and networking, while also highlighting initiatives that link artistic research to wider educational and cultural contexts.

Following this, a round table discussion chaired by Stephen Broad (Chair of the EPARM Working Group) and featuring panellists Anna Maria Bordin, Wei-Ya Lin (EPARM WG), alongside Stefan Gies (AEC Senior Advisor), Stefan Östersjö (REACT project, Luleå University of Technology), and Theodore Parker (RAPP Lab, Estonian Academy of Music and Theatre), and facilitated by Stephen Broad—marked the beginning of a new initiative around Artistic Research Education (ARE).

Drawing on the recently concluded Erasmus+ Strategic Partnerships, RAPP Lab and REACT, the session explored priorities for meaningful ARE at all levels of higher music education. 

Find out more about the session here.

This edition also marked the third iteration of the ARTEMIS Safe Space at EPARM, facilitated by Ashkhen Fixova, AEC Office and Project Manager. This important initiative provided participants with an inclusive space to offer feedback on the event, focusing specifically on diversity, inclusion, gender equality, and non-discrimination.

The AEC extends its heartfelt thanks to all who made the 2025 edition a success: our hosts in Tallinn, the members of the EPARM Working Group, and, of course, the participants whose energy and engagement continue to drive the platform forward.

We are pleased to announce that the next edition of the European Platform for Artistic Research in Music (EPARM) will be hosted by the Norwegian Academy of Music (Norges musikkhøgskole) in Oslo, Norway, from 9 to 11 April 2026.

You can view the EPARM 2025 event photo gallery here.