The world has a greater need than ever before for societies that embrace diversity, inclusion and equality. Time and again, music and music-making have proven to be a powerful instrument that can be used to promote such humanistic values, bring hope and stimulate determination.
The Academic Chair Jonet on Social Action and Music-Making was established at Ghent University (UGent) and Ghent University of Applied Sciences (HOGENT - School of Arts and Department of Social Work). The aim is to explore the diverse field of socially engaged music practices and contribute to the further development of music practices that harness the empowering character of music-making to generate social impact and contribute to a society that values and promotes diversity, inclusivity and equality.
Furthermore, building on this research, the chair will contribute to the training and professional development of musicians and cultural workers who wish to facilitate music-making and social action.
In doing so, the chair not only addresses a growing need for more in-depth research, but also for high-quality and sustainable training in the field of music-making and social action. Despite the emergence of many social music projects in recent years, both nationally and internationally, and despite a growing number of musicians and cultural workers who want to be active in this field, this need is indeed pressing with a view to advancing this domain.
To organize and facilitate its activities, the chair will establish the Centre for Social Action and Music-Making (CESAMM). Since there is currently no research and training centre dedicated to its field, this centre will occupy a unique position in the world.
A key focus of CESAMM will be the synergy between research and practice through intensive collaboration between scholars and practitioners, between art and science, and between research and artistic-educational initiatives.
Promoter of the chair is Prof. dr. Francis Maes, professor of musicology at Ghent University and senior lecturer at the Department of Art, Music and Theatre Studies. The first chair holder is prof. dr. Lukas Pairon, founder of the SIMM research network and Muziekfonds and co-founder of the music ensemble Ictus. Dr. An De bisschop will become chair holder from 2024. Prof. dr. Luc Nijs will remain closely involved with the chair as a visiting professor. In 2023, Filip Verneert will join the team as a postdoctoral researcher.
The establishment of the Academic Chair is made possible thanks to the financial support of 2 main sponsors - the VGP Foundation and the Fondation Futur 21 - and 7 major music centres, which will also take on the role of 'hubs' to bring together practitioners of social and community music projects in their region: Brussels Philharmonic, deSingel, Concertgebouw Brugge, De Centrale, Handelsbeurs, Musica and the Klara Festival.