Kraften i Likeverd (The Power of Equality) – An Important Interdisciplinary Collaboration
On March 7th, CreaTeME, together with the Faculty of Health and Sports Sciences and the Centre for Gender Equality, marked International Women’s Day with the seminar ‘Kraften i Likeverd‘.
The seminar aimed to open the conversation on how to build a performance culture where everyone has equal opportunities to succeed. This was the essence of what was explored at Kraften i Likeverd, where leaders, researchers, and performers came together to share insights and experiences from the worlds of music and sports. The seminar shed light on both the challenges and the solutions that can support equitable career development across disciplines. Through lectures, panel discussions, and in-depth conversations, participants engaged with topics such as physical and mental health, performer perspectives, support schemes, and inclusion — all with a focus on what is needed to create real, lasting change.
See the article in Fædrelandsvennen for more details on the topic.
Kraften i Likeverd: Bridging Health, Sports, and Equality together
The initiative that eventually became Kraften i Likeverd began last year when Gunn-Hilde Erstad Haugen, a researcher at the Department of Popular Music and project leader for Diversity in Music Education (DIM), organized “The Sound of Equality” on March 7th of 2024. During the planning, the idea of involving someone from health and sports emerged, leading to a panel discussion on various topics. This collaboration revealed many commonalities and shared challenges between the parties.
This initial collaboration led to further engagement, including a panel at Arendalsuka. The groundwork for Kraften i Likeverd was laid during preparations for Arendalsuka.
A key collaborator of Kraften i Likeverd and its predecessors is the Centre for Gender and Equality at UiA, represented by Rasha Abdallah. Her extensive knowledge on the topics added structure and historical context to the discussion through a timeline.
The discussion covered the history of equality, addressing challenges in men’s and women’s health. It’s important to emphasize that the focus has always been on achievement and equality. However, when linked to March, the focus often shifts to women, who have historically faced more challenges. The main aim is however, to highlight equality regardless of gender, ability, or ethnicity.
“This project is incredibly exciting,” says Hege Beckmann, Associate Professor at the Department of Classical Music and Music Education and leader of work package 5, CreaTeME. “Establishing an interdisciplinary collaboration between the fields of sports and music is both innovative and inspiring. Both musicians and athletes work diligently to achieve their goals, striving to perform at their best when it matters most. Therefore, it is natural that these fields have much to learn from each other,” Beckmann explains.
“We observe that both the music and sports fields face similar challenges in providing equal opportunities for boys and girls.”
“It’s also exciting that we’ve included the Centre for Gender Equality in the collaboration,” says Beckmann. “We observe that both the music and sports fields face similar challenges in providing equal opportunities for boys and girls. By working together, we are stronger in addressing this important issue,” Beckmann emphasizes.
“We are always looking for opportunities for interfaculty and interdisciplinary collaboration,” says Beckmann. By exploring new fields of practice and addressing new challenges, CreaTeME aim to foster innovation and growth across various disciplines.
Focus on Musician Health
Another exciting project, born from the collaboration between CreaTeME and the Department of Sport Science, centers on musician health. The 2024 Artist Survey highlights that a significant number of young artists and musicians, particularly women, struggle with their physical and mental health. Several factors contribute to this issue, and the survey notes that young musicians often find it challenging to establish themselves in a demanding industry. As an educational institution, this is something we must take seriously, says Beckmann. We need to equip our students both physically and mentally to sustain long careers in the music industry. Therefore, through CreaTeME, we have developed a course on musician health that will be a mandatory part of the performance music education curriculum.
A stereotypical view of musicians regarding their health suggests that they may lead an unbalanced lifestyle, often characterized by late nights, irregular meals, and busy schedules, which can leave little time to prioritize physical and mental well-being. However, Beckmann emphasizes an encouraging shift toward a new trend where more music students are focusing on their health and well-being. It is important, therefore, that we incorporate this focus into performance education programs.
“The focus should be on recognizing individual differences and ensuring enough sleep, even if you’re up all night. It’s about seeing the bigger picture and understanding the importance of long-term functionality and endurance. We lose too many creative individuals prematurely … for various reasons,” says Beckmann.
In higher music education, there should be an increased emphasis on physical activity. Beckmann highlights that while all physical activity is beneficial, exploring specific forms of exercise tailored to the student’s instrument would be more effective, similar to practices in e-sports.
Hege Beckmann, Associate Professor – Department of Classical Music at the University of Agder, and Music Education leader of of work package 5, CreaTeME.
Esports-Inspired Training for Musician’s Health
E-sports, despite being a sedentary activity, is widely recognized as a sport due to its competitive nature, strategic depth, and the physical and mental skills required to excel. Players often undergo rigorous training regimes, similar to traditional athletes, to enhance their reflexes, coordination, and cognitive abilities. Music, on the other hand, shares many similarities with e-sports, such as the need for precision, practice, and performance under pressure. Musicians also develop fine motor skills, mental acuity, and emotional resilience. However, music is often viewed more as an art form rather than a sport, possibly due to its cultural and expressive aspects overshadowing its competitive elements. This distinction overlooks the intense discipline and physical demands involved in mastering musical instruments, akin to the training seen in e-sports.
Sunniva Whittaker, rector of the University of Agder pointed out that some of the content in the study programme Academic E-sport could relevant for musicians. The programme focuses on how physical endurance, restitution and nutrition enhance the players’ performance.
Sunniva Whittaker. Rector of the University of Agder.
Other Collaboration Projects: Arkivet’s Youth Initiative – Blanke Ark
Arkivet’s youth initiative Blanke Ark, in collaboration with NAV, has fostered a unique interdisciplinary project. Young individuals from the project joined forces with students from CreaTeME to write lyrics, some of which were performed by the young people themselves. For those who felt uncomfortable performing, our students stepped in to bring their words to life.
Through the process of expressing others’ words, experiences, and thoughts, the students discovered new meaning in their art. This project provided them with a platform to challenge their creativity, which they found highly fulfilling. There are individuals who need their emotions and experiences to be articulated through words and music, and this initiative allowed the students to feel involved and make a difference.
“Today, our focus in training musicians is to make education as sustainable as possible. We observe changes within the music field,” says Hege Beckmann. “In the end, there should be employment opportunities, or at least ways to utilize one’s creative and musical skills within society. Through CreaTeME, we have the opportunity to establish collaborations and projects that wouldn’t otherwise be possible. These initiatives are designed to benefit both the students and their education.”
Photo credits from the seminar: CreaTeME //Johannes Birkedal Austenå