The AEC is pleased to announce the launch of the call for members of four new Working Groups for the period 2025–2028.
Through these Working Groups, the AEC advances its mission by actively engaging experts and practitioners in addressing key issues facing higher music education. These groups play a key role in advancing strategic areas of development within the sector by contributing to professional development, knowledge-sharing across institutions, as well as policy work.
This call invites motivated individuals to become actively involved in shaping the future of higher arts education:
- Staff members of higher music education institutions (members of the teaching staff, researchers, members of the administrative staff, etc.) [All WGs]
- Students enrolled in higher music education institutions [Most of the WGs]
- Alumni and representatives of the profession [Some WGs]
The AEC encourages applications from candidates with strong expertise, relevant experience, and/or a clear commitment to contributing to the aims and activities of the Working Groups (WGs).
The WGs will be created in October 2025 and conduct their activities until the end of 2028, with the support of the EU Creative Europe grant for European Networks.
Find out more about the call for each working group.
Digitisation Working Group
The Digitisation Working Group (WG) will promote the continued development and integration of digital tools, including AI, in the institutions’ curricula and operations by further building the sector’s capacities, developing transversal digital competencies and exploring the opportunities and challenges arising from the development of AI.
Education and Profession Working Group
The Education and Profession Working Group (WG) will explore how to bridge the gap between education and professional practice and will advocate for close collaboration with students, student organisations and society stakeholders.
Music, Society & Sustainability Working Group
The Music, Society & Sustainability Working Group (WG) will study collaboration models between AEC member organisations and societal partners aiming at empowering emerging artists to strengthen and widen participation in active music making and creating, and will explore connections between the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and musical creation.
Special Education Needs (SEN) Working Group
The Special Education Needs (SEN) Working Group will enhance cultural participation and inclusion for artists with SEN across Higher Music Education (HME) institutions by supporting the development of competences among cultural professionals in HME institutions, strengthening inclusive practices, and establishing a network of institutions committed to social inclusion, fostering collaboration and the exchange of good practices.
Apply now
For each Working Group, the Terms of Reference indicate general tasks and benefits of being a member of an AEC Working Group, and general membership terms, as well as specificities concerning the Working Group itself:
- Its objectives and tasks
- The types of applicants to whom the call is open
- The list of documents expected from applicants and the email address to which they should be sent
- Information on the selection process
The selection of all applicants will be conducted by the AEC Office and approved by the AEC Executive Committee.
For students and alumni, applications will first be considered and shortlisted by the Board of EPASA – Empowering the voice of performing arts students and emerging artistic professionals in Europe and the shortlist shared with the AEC Office.
In the selection process, the AEC will aim to ensure a diverse and inclusive group composition by considering intersectional dimensions such as gender, geography, artistic background, disability, race and ethnicity, and other underrepresented perspectives within the HME landscape.
Please check the relevant the Terms of Reference for more details about the application process for the Working Group(s) you are interested in.
Timeline
- 16 June 2025: The call is launched
- 8 September 2025: deadline for applications
- By the end of September 2025, results will be communicated to the applicants. Accepted applicants are required to confirm as soon as possible.
