Events and Initiatives
Since 2001, Georgetown University has been involved in shaping music policy, closely collaborating with the Future of Music Coalition and, more recently, the Music Policy Forum. This partnership has enriched its academic resources, notably with the integration of the Future of Music Coalition archives into Lauinger Library’s Special Collections. Georgetown’s forums and summits have hosted a spectrum of distinguished participants, from artists like David Byrne, Patti Smith, Chuck D, Marc Ribot, Billy Bragg, and Janeane Garofalo to policymakers such as Senator Orrin Hatch, Senator Russ Feingold, and several FCC commissioners. These events have identified and addressed issues from digital rights management to fair compensation in the streaming era, positioning Georgetown as a leader in addressing the dynamic challenges of the music industry.
Artist Advocacy in the Music Ecosystem, 2016–2022
Between 2016 and 2022, Georgetown University deepened its influence on music policy by addressing the sweeping changes introduced by the era of streaming and digital content. During this period, Georgetown University received the Future of Music Coalition archive for Special Collections in Lauinger Library, a significant acquisition that enriched academic and practical insights into music policy. The university also shifted its partnership focus to collaborate closely with the Music Policy Forum, enhancing its ability to address contemporary issues in music policy. These initiatives fostered a series of dialogues and summits that tackled critical challenges such as fair artist compensation, copyright in the digital landscape, and the sustainability of local and global music ecosystems. Through these engagements, Georgetown remained at the forefront of shaping policy and advocacy in response to the dynamic transformations within the music industry.
2022 Music Ecosystem Forum
The Georgetown Music Ecosystem Forum was a vibrant gathering that attracted participants from various parts of the music industry, academia, and advocacy groups. The event featured speakers and attendees from multiple countries and regions, reflecting a broad spectrum of musical cultures and perspectives. Notable contributions included historical analysis by Steve Waxman (Smith College), challenges of touring discussed by artist Santigold, and panels with experts like Michael Seman (Colorado State University), Shawn Watterson (Happy Dog, Cleveland), and Eric Gilbert (Treefort Music Fest), who explored themes of environmental sustainability and the economic impacts of music venues. The diversity of the attendees—from artists to academics to industry executives—continued the forum’s comprehensive approach to rethinking the music industry as an ecosystem focused on sustainability and equity.
2021 Streaming and Fair Compensation Workshop
The workshop in 2021 delved into fair compensation for artists, featuring panelists like Crispin Hunt, a songwriter and Chair of the British Academy of Songwriters, Composers, and Authors. The discussion revolved around innovative models for revenue distribution. The workshop led to a pilot program involving several labels and streaming services to test new revenue-sharing models that could potentially be scaled industry-wide.
2020 Digital Music and Copyright Symposium
During the COVID-19 pandemic, this symposium was pivotal in addressing the copyright challenges posed by virtual music events. Legal experts such as Anne-Marie Blake, a copyright lawyer, discussed new norms for live streaming and copyright in digital performances. Recommendations were made for updating copyright laws to better accommodate the surge in virtual performances and digital content creation.
2019 Music Policy Forum Summit
The Music Policy Forum Summit 2019 returned to Georgetown University, highlighting the complex intersection of local music ecosystems with global insights. Featuring twenty-five presenters from a dozen North American cities, the summit served as a critical platform for discussions on advancing local music communities. Among the themes addressed were the development of music strategies, sound management, inclusivity, and the intersection of music and public radio in audience development.
Key participants included Anna Celenza from Georgetown University (Washington, DC), who underscored the university’s commitment to both local and global music communities. Michael Bracy, co-founder of the Music Policy Forum (Washington, DC), emphasized the summit’s community-building power. Board members such as Kate Becker (Seattle), Kwende Kefentse (Ottawa), Ashley Keaton (New Orleans), and Amy Terrill (Toronto) provided international insights, reflecting a diverse geographic perspective.
The summit also featured sessions on noise versus music in urban settings, with contributions from Don Pitts (Sound Music Cities, Austin, TX), Allie Martin (Indiana University), and Ashlye Keaton (Ella Project, New Orleans, LA), and discussions on creating safer public spaces with representatives from New Orleans, Denver, and Seattle. These discussions highlighted current challenges and shared successful strategies and initiatives benefiting local music ecosystems globally.
2018 Georgetown Music Policy Conference
This conference tackled the globalization of the music industry facilitated by streaming platforms, examining impacts on local music cultures and economies. Speakers included cultural anthropologist Dr. Sally Anne Gross, who discussed the cultural dilution risks and strategies for preserving musical diversity. The event resulted in actionable strategies for artists and policymakers to leverage global platforms while safeguarding local music ecosystems.
2017 Future of Music Summit
The 2017 Summit at Georgetown explored deep implications of digital platforms such as Spotify and Apple Music on copyright reform and artist compensation. It brought in thought leaders like Daryl Friedman, Chief Advocacy & Industry Relations Officer of The Recording Academy, to discuss legislative reforms aimed at protecting musicians’ rights in the digital age. The summit produced a white paper on digital copyright challenges and proposed legislative changes to ensure fair compensation for artists.
2016 Music Policy Forum
The 2016 Music Policy Forum addressed the seismic shift brought about by streaming technologies on traditional music business models. The event featured keynote speeches and panels with industry experts like Alex White, co-founder of Next Big Sound, discussing data-driven decision-making for artists and labels. The forum led to the development of guidelines and best practices for emerging artists navigating the complex landscape of digital music revenue and rights management.
Shaping Music’s Digital Future, 2008–2015
From 2008 to 2015, Georgetown remained a home for shaping music policy by addressing the digital revolution’s challenges through impactful summits and forums. The discussions and information sessions tackled emerging issues like streaming, net neutrality, and global music rights, reinforcing its role as a leader in the discourse on the music industry’s evolving technoscape.
2015 Future of Music Policy Summit
The 2015 summit revisited themes such as digital rights management, music streaming economics, and global policy impacts on music distribution. It brought together international experts and industry leaders to discuss the rapidly changing digital music landscape and its implications for artists worldwide. The summit provided critical insights that informed ongoing legislative and industry discussions on how to adapt to and thrive in the digital age.
2014 Future of Music Policy Summit
This year’s summit addressed critical issues at the intersection of music, activism, and technology, including the potential monopolistic impacts on the music industry and the role of public sector engagement in protecting artist rights. Participants included leading activists and technologists who discussed the challenges and opportunities posed by innovations in music technology. The outcomes focused on developing more robust protections for artists and ensuring fair competition within the industry.
2013 Future of Music Summit
The 2013 summit tackled a wide array of topics, including the impact of metadata on music distribution, the role of streaming platforms, and strategies for fan engagement. Notable contributions came from experts like Tim Westergren, founder of Pandora, who discussed the economic realities facing modern musicians. The outcomes from the summit included enhanced tools and strategies for artists to effectively manage their digital presence and rights
2012 Future of Music Summit
Focused on the emerging role of Internet radio and platforms like Pandora, this summit explored the complex relationship between intellectual property and the Internet’s role in artist compensation. Discussions also covered the influence of artists in shaping cultural policy, with outcomes leading to better-informed strategies for artist activism and engagement in policy-making. The summit was instrumental in shaping legislative discussions around internet radio royalties and copyright reform.
2010 Future of Music Policy Summit
The 2010 summit provided in-depth discussions on online marketing strategies for musicians, the implications of healthcare reform on the artist community, and new digital music promotion and distribution tactics. Speakers included high-profile industry experts and policymakers who offered insights into copyright termination and transfer laws. The summit catalyzed policy recommendations and enhanced understanding among artists and industry stakeholders about the need for legal reforms to accommodate new media realities.
2009 Future of Music Coalition Policy Day
This policy day at Georgetown University brought together a diverse group of stakeholders, including policymakers, artists like Erin McKeown, and industry experts, to discuss critical issues such as terrestrial and internet radio policies, intellectual property, and copyright. The event focused on advocating for Fair Trade music principles, aiming to establish more equitable practices within the industry. The outcomes included enhanced advocacy strategies and increased awareness among artists about their rights and the dynamics of digital music distribution.
2008 “What’s the Future for Musicians” Seminar
In 2008, Georgetown hosted the “What’s the Future for Musicians” seminar, focusing on the dramatic transformations in the music industry brought about by digital technologies. Discussions revolved around establishing a sustainable middle class for musicians in the digital age, with emphasis on the impacts of internet neutrality and digital distribution platforms. The seminar served as a crucial platform for addressing the challenges and opportunities facing musicians, leading to actionable insights for artists looking to navigate the evolving landscape.
Pioneering Music Policy, 2001–2007
Between 2001 and 2007, Georgetown University facilitated organized events that shaped music policy during a transformative era marked by digital innovation and industry disruption. Through annual policy summits and influential forums, the university hosted the Future of Music Coalition for key discussions on digital rights, artist compensation, and media consolidation. These efforts not only contributed to significant policy changes and industry standards, but also reinforced Georgetown’s commitment to fostering equitable practices within the global music industry.
2007 Future of Music Policy Summit
The 2007 summit focused on net neutrality and the impacts of media ownership consolidation, bringing together technology experts, policymakers, and musicians to advocate for equitable music distribution and the preservation of net neutrality. The discussions and collaborations influenced broader movements against media consolidation and for net neutrality, thus protecting diverse voices and innovation in the music industry.
2006 Future of Music Policy Summit
Held in Montreal, the 2006 Future of Music Policy Summit expanded its focus to include global challenges in the music industry. Keynote speaker David Byrne provided critical examinations of the evolving role of record companies in an era of digital disruptions. The summit fostered international dialogue and understanding of digital transformation challenges, influencing global strategies for digital preservation and fair treatment of artists.
2005 Future of Music Policy Summit
Marking its fifth anniversary, the 2005 summit reviewed the progress and shifts in music policy advocacy, highlighting the transformative role of digital technology in music creation and distribution. Contributions from Microsoft executives explored support for independent musicians. The summit produced actionable insights on digital rights and sustainable practices, influencing ongoing discussions about industry standards and the protection of artists’ rights in digital environments.
2004 Future of Music Policy Summit
The 2004 summit continued to address digital rights and artist compensation amidst the rise of online music services. Discussions revolved around the potential disruptions new technology platforms posed to traditional business models, with insights from technologists, music industry executives, and artist representatives. This event facilitated valuable networking opportunities, leading to new initiatives and technological collaborations that aimed to harness emerging platforms for artists’ benefit.
2003 “Tell Us the Truth Tour”
The 2003 “Tell Us the Truth Tour,” featuring artists like Billy Bragg and Steve Earle, advocated for fair media and trade policies across multiple U.S. cities. This campaign significantly raised public awareness and engagement, leading to enhanced dialogue among policymakers on the need for media reform, specifically targeting the issues of consolidation and its impact on diversity in media.
2002 Future of Music Policy Summit
Highlighted by a performance from Lester Chambers, the 2002 summit focused on the legal landscape post-Napster, including copyright litigation and digital rights. Legal experts and representatives from ASCAP, BMI, NMPA, and HFA deepened the understanding of digital rights management. This year’s summit catalyzed ongoing advocacy for musicians’ rights online and fostered greater industry collaboration in tackling the challenges of digital copyright management.
2001 Future of Music Policy Summit
The inaugural 2001 Future of Music Policy Summit at Georgetown University addressed the ramifications of MP3 technology on copyright and the broader music industry. The summit set a foundational dialogue, exploring the Secure Digital Music Initiative (SDMI) and evolving business models with contributions from industry leaders and technology experts. This gathering established a platform for ongoing dialogue and influenced subsequent policy frameworks and industry standards regarding digital music distribution, setting the stage for annual discussions that would continuously address the digital challenges facing the music industry.