Students from JMC Academy in Melbourne have participated in the pilot of a new music climate education program aiming to empower students to integrate sustainability into their work and creative practice.
The module developed by Green Music Australia uses insights from Sound Country, its comprehensive green artist guide aimed at empowering musicians across all genres to embed sustainable action and processes into their music career.
“We passionately believe in educating and empowering the next generation of musicians and arts workers to step into their environmental leadership. No one wants to inherit a dying planet, but musicians and the industry that supports them have the power to help us imagine and shape a better, greener future” says Green Music Australia CEO, Berish Bilander.
Throughout the interactive class, students learnt about the key principles which underpin environmental action in the music scene including the importance of being earth-centred, aligning our environmental efforts with other movements for justice, healing and equity, and harnessing our cultural power as musicians to create deep impact.
Students also unpacked the importance of environmental action in the music scene, and how to use Sound Country resources to improve their knowledge and implement positive change in their music careers.
As part of the program, Green Music Australia onboards and educates music lecturers across tertiary institutions to deliver the module and educate emerging leaders and music industry professionals on best practice sustainability management.
“It was fantastic to see students become engaged with the content and learn about how they can use their voice and platform to support better outcomes for the environment” says JMC Academy’s Head of Music (Melbourne) Chris Pickering.
“In the face of a rapidly changing climate, the music industry is increasingly expected to incorporate sustainable processes into its artistry and business operations. As a result, we currently face a significant skills shortage. Programs like this one can help us bridge the gap and collectively move towards a greener music sector.”
A survey of the students found the module increased their confidence to use resources and become more sustainable in their career.
The module is the first of several pilots at Victorian educational institutions, with a long term ambition to embed sustainability into music industry education curricula nationally and bolster the music sector’s capacity to create positive environmental action.
The pilot program follows a 12 month education and engagement campaign following the official launch of Green Music Australia’s Sound Country: A Green Artist Guide in 2022. Co-authored by First Nations Music Producer Rhoda Roberts AO and environmental consultant Matt Wicking, the resource has been shared nationally by music industry peak bodies, labels, venues and Australia’s leading artists including Angie McMahon, Ben Lee, Clare Bowditch, Emily Wurramara, Kim Churchill and Ross Wilson.
The launch and implementation of Sound Country: A Green Artist Guide has been supported by the Victorian Government through Creative Victoria.