Study Group “Gender and Musical Patronage”

The purpose of the IMS Study Group “Gender and Musical Patronage” (GMP) is to create an international forum of scholars to explore the impact of gender in shaping different patterns of art management and patronage. The aim of GMP is to connect perspectives and to foster an active researcher network that encourages critical thinking, academic publications, conferences, workshops, and new interdisciplinary projects, providing a platform of exchange and visibility for the members within the IMS. The study group focuses on the role of gender in patronage systems and in the dissemination and management of music from the Middle Ages up to the present day, going beyond individual and local experiences to focus on transnational exchanges and cultural transfers. GMP welcomes members with an interest in developing new perspectives and interdisciplinary methods, taking a very broad approach to the topic, with particular attention given to the intersection and mutual exchanges between music, gender, and several other fields of research such as history, sociology, anthropology, economics and politics. The study group organizes at least one internal meeting every year and a conference or symposium at least once every two years.

The mission statement of GMP corresponds (but is not limited) to the following main topics:

• musical patronage and transatlantic cultural transfers;
• gendered politics and diplomatic relations through music;
• agents of musical performance, sponsoring activities, and promotion of composers;
• music industry and founding activities;
• the creation of new audiences;
• collective creation and distribution processes in music;
• gender, institutions, and economics of music.

Maria Cáceres-Piñuel (CH/ES), Vincenzina C. Ottomano (CH)

For a report of recent activities, as well as older reports, see the IMS Publication Archive.