We are pleased to announce that the AEC will take on a leading role in the international dissemination and communication of the results of the Music4D project, funded through Italy’s National Recovery and Resilience Plan (PNRR).
What is the PNRR?
The PNRR (Piano Nazionale di Ripresa e Resilienza) is Italy’s national plan under the European Union’s NextGenerationEU initiative — a major recovery instrument launched to support EU member states in addressing the economic and social impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic. Italy, as one of the primary beneficiaries, has been investing these funds in structural reforms and strategic projects, particularly in education, research, culture, and innovation. The higher music education (HME) sector in Italy has been deeply involved in the implementation of the PNRR, especially under Mission 4: Education and Research. Many Italian higher music and art education institutions have received substantial funding to support innovation in digital transformation, artistic research, international cooperation, and sustainability.
MUSIC4D: Music, entrepreneUrshIp, Creativity, For the Digital revolution
Among these ambitious initiatives is MUSIC4D, a forward-looking project led by the Conservatorio Alessandro Scarlatti in Palermo. The project focuses on integrating digital technologies, interdisciplinary collaboration, and new pedagogical approaches into music education and research. Its aims include:
- strengthening international dialogue,
- enhancing digital competencies, and
- developing new models for artistic and academic engagement in the 21st century.
The project emerges at the intersection of technology, education, and cultural heritage, advancing a transformative vision for music in the digital age. Rooted in the traditions of Southern Italy, MUSIC4D leverages multisensorial environments, AR/VR/XR, AI, and Digital Twin technologies to reimagine artistic performance, training, and dissemination. In a world where digital capability is crucial, the project addresses the significant technological gap in Italian higher arts education, especially across Calabria, Sicily, and Sardinia.
By equipping AFAM institutions with tools and training, MUSIC4D fosters internationalization, innovation, and inclusion. It promotes environmental responsibility in artistic production and encourages new pathways in music therapy and accessibility. The initiative builds cross-border collaborations, develops permanent digital curricula, and installs cutting-edge digital hubs. Over 5,000 users will benefit from newly designed educational modules. Artistic exchanges, joint events, and identity hubs will reinforce Mediterranean cultural diplomacy. The project also aims to reduce the ecological footprint of music performance by 20%. Above all, MUSIC4D empowers a new generation of artists as “digital ambassadors,” making culture more accessible, sustainable, and globally connected.
AEC’s Role in MUSIC4D
As part of its commitment to fostering excellence and connectivity across the European HME landscape, the AEC will coordinate the international communication and dissemination of Music4D’s outcomes. Specifically, the AEC will:
- Ensure high visibility of the project results across European and international platforms;
- Promote knowledge exchange through conferences, publications, and online content;
- Connect Music4D to other EU initiatives and networks in the field of music and the arts;
- Showcase and amplify best practices emerging from the project to inform both policy and practice in music education.
With its broad European reach and longstanding expertise in the HME sector, the AEC is proud to support MUSIC4D in extending its impact far beyond Italy’s borders. The first event involving MUSIC4D will be the AEC’s International Relations Coordinators Meeting in Budapest, with a discussion group taking place on 19th September.
Stay tuned for updates, events, and opportunities to engage with Music4D through AEC channels.
For more information about the project or the AEC’s involvement, please contact Sara Primiterra at events@aec-music.eu.