• NEXT EDITION
  • 22-26 OCT 2025
  • Tampere, Finland

Piranha Arts Consultancy & WOMEX Academy

Speed Meetings at Porto Musical 2013

It is encouraging to see some of the values held by our global community being considered on a higher level – these are little steps but steps nonetheless! 2015 marked the 10th Anniversary of the UNESCO Convention on the Protection and Promotion of the Diversity of Cultural Expressions: an important tool for all of us players of global music and still lots to be done to ensure it is implemented!

A short extract of the United Nations text of the 2030 agenda for sustainable development entitled 'Transforming our world'. Have a look at its Article 36: "We pledge to foster inter-cultural understanding, tolerance, mutual respect and an ethic of global citizenship and shared responsibility. We acknowledge the natural and cultural diversity of the world and recognize that all cultures and civilizations can contribute to, and are crucial enablers of, sustainable development." 15 years to work on, making culture a strong pillar of the sustainable development!

One more important tool for us from UNESCO: The Culture for Development Indicators (CDIS), aiming to help on advocacy and implementation of policies that assess the multidimensional role of culture in development processes through facts and figures. We all know that the impact of culture might be economic but also educational, social, and much more. These indicators aim to help us defend all the aspects and the impact of our work.

Piranha ARts Consultancy

To support and foster emerging scenes and exchanges, Piranha Arts offers its global network, its expertise in cultural development and its hands-on production knowledge through its branch Piranha Arts Consultancy.

From world music to a broader range of international projects, Piranha is – by inclination and by necessity – a pioneer in working at an international level with many regions worldwide; in supporting the international mobility of artists; and in promoting cultural diversity. Since 1994, WOMEX has increased the value of crossing borders, be these musical, political, cultural or commercial, finding ways to ensure that its valuable knowledge will adapt to the changing cultural environment – way beyond the world music sector.

Over the years, we have developed:

  • an advanced knowledge of the sector – from export models to digital challenges, from creators' rights to management issues – and much more;
  • a strong worldwide network of cultural and creative practitioners and entrepreneurs;
  • a dynamic communications infrastructure, including platforms such as virtualWOMEX and C:N NET, that reaches many thousands of professionals;
  • in-house expertise in everything from shaping cultural policies to curating and designing the right measures, to setting up the respective events, workshops and meetings.

So far, we have collaborated with diverse partners ranging from governments (national to municipal level), the European Union, UNESCO, NGOs, GIZ (German Agency for International Cooperation) universities, arts councils, and foundations, to private operators such as event producers, networks or festivals.

WOMEX Academy

The Idea

WOMEX Academy is a new initiative which aims to support artists and other music professionals who wish to strengthen their skills to access international circuits and markets. The world out there is full of opportunities but how to get a foot into the right doors? How to make substantial first steps in international circuits?

WOMEX provides a practical programme to learn about global music trends and its business, identify international circuits, make musical discoveries, and gain inspiration. It is also a compelling place to meet new colleagues and potential partners, interact with the WOMEX community, and establish long-lasting professional networks at an international level.

Attending WOMEX is a big step towards initiating or reinforcing activities on a global scale. Therefore, it is essential to be prepared beforehand to get the best out of your participation. WOMEX Academy focuses on providing information, knowledge, guidance, and building capacities before engagement.

Contact

Get in touch with us, we are always open to build this spread and mix of formats, partnerships and projects.

Visit us at: www.piranha-arts.com/#consult
Contact us at: consultancy@piranha-arts.com

 

Photo: Speed Meetings at Porto Musical, Brazil