Session report by Kirsteen Macdonald (Lead Academic Developer, CAPE). To read the abstract which was submitted prior to the conference please click here
Zuleika discussed some collaborative live entrepreneurship
projects taking place on the BAMBAM (BA Music, Business & Arts Management) and
BAPM (BA Popular Music) programmes focussing on the interplay between business
and music programmes in which music students are required to create
entrepreneurial business identities.
Zuleika explained that many music (and other creative arts) students find
it very difficult to consolidate the creative and commercial aspects of their
field.
Marcus then explained the (self-admittedly complicated) idea
behind blockchain technology, a new system of e-commerce, utilising e-money
systems such as bitcoin. This works as an electronic ledger, or contract, which
can contain the music itself (a sound file) wrapped up with html coding with
any additional information required. The potential to music students
struggling, or uncomfortable, with becoming business people (“We do not want to
create the next Simon Cowell”), is the premise of a direct peer-to-peer
transaction between musician and fan. This sells entrepreneurship as a
productive project, promoting creativity, freedom and transparency, rather than
being merely commercially and economically motivated.
A fascinating, enlightening and enthusiastic presentation
that got participants excited about the research and business potential of the
project, especially the benefits to students, possible future collaborations with
other departments, and a boost to the research/business reputation of the
University.