The collective STIM organizations join together to strengthen the music sector with the STIM Forward Fund
Since 1925, STIM has been working to promote the long-term development of the music sector. The work has gradually developed over the years, and today, many initiatives and projects are implemented each year to help strengthen Swedish music creation. These are run by STIM, together with FST, SKAP and Musikförläggarna, who together represent STIM-affiliated rights holders – music creators and music publishers. These initiatives are aimed at increasing equality and diversity, providing scholarships for music creators, educating, addressing copyright issues and engaging young people in creating music.
These various initiatives have now been gathered together and coordinated under a new brand – the STIM Forward Fund, that will create an even stronger common force for musical diversity and growth. Many types of music do well in a commercial market but far from all of them. Sweden is one of the world's strongest music nations, but in the future, to develop and maintain its position, a broad repertoire with all types of music will also be required. The STIM Forward Fund is a joint initiative of the four organizations, that will help both strengthen and broaden the creation of Swedish music.
“Music must be allowed to be personal, unpredictable and relevant. Musical diversity, copyright and distribution must never be taken for granted and we are getting even better now by working together to the greatest possible effect. Our work has helped generations of composers, songwriters and lyricists and provided them with better conditions to create and distribute their music. Through scholarships and travel grants that all STIM members can apply for, through training and offering advice about the industry, and through the provision of free music studio time. This way, our joint investment will spread among everyone in the music sector. The STIM Forward Fund is a gathering of forces for pushing music’s momentum forward.” says Casper Bjørner, CEO of STIM.
“Copyright is absolutely fundamental to the Swedish music scene and cannot be taken for granted. Each reform requires extensive, solid advocacy work and a united collective of music creators can make a major difference, not only for those working today, but also for future generations. This requires hard work and tight cooperation. This is also why we are now making history, with the copyright directive becoming a reality in Swedish law. We will continue to fight for our members’ rights and that is an important focus of the work we do within the framework of the STIM Forward Fund,” says Alfons Karabuda, Chairman of SKAP.
“With the STIM Forward Fund, we are jointly contributing to a richer musical life, where more people can distribute and make a living from their music. Well-conceived joint initiatives to help create a better industry that provides good conditions for music creators are also central to the individual music publishers' business. The music sector is a complex ecosystem and the whole cycle has to function. By cooperating closely, we will be a strong force for equality, diversity and robust growth in the industry,” says Kerstin Mangert, chairwoman of Musikförläggarna.
“Classical music is part of a complex ecosystem in which we work for long-term sustainable conditions for composers. Strengthening the security of those making music and helping them grow are prerequisites for musical diversity. Therefore, the STIM Forward Fund is a very welcome initiative that will help all composers, songwriters and music publishers. This fund will help us complement each other and use our respective strengths and collective competencies to create long-term value for artistic freedom, says Martin Jonsson Tibblin, chairman of FST.