Women in Music, was born in 1978 as a movement promoting and presenting music composed and created by women worldwide, of all genres and in all times. “Equal Opportunities for Women in the Arts and Music” is at the heart of the mission and advocacy undertaken by the Adkins Chiti: Women in Music Foundation, an Italian cultural organisation, partner within cultural agreements undersigned by the Italian Foreign Ministry, member of UNESCO’s International Music Council and the European Music Council, internationally recognised for its activities to obtain recognition and visibility for women in the cultural sector. The Foundation collaborates with the EUC for research projects. Its work has the patronage of UNESCO and the Arab Academy (network of cultural organisations within the Arab League). How many women composers and creators of music are included in textbooks and encyclopaedias? Far too few. Those present are there because other women – musicians, scholars and historians – have wanted to celebrate their contributions. If music is not performed, it is not perceived to exist; women’s music is a tangible and intangible part of world heritage. Making it known is the mission of Women in Music. The Foundation has a network in 111 countries made up of “Women in Music Organisations”, individual composers, researchers, musicologists, performers and teachers. This network also includes 77 affiliated organisations in 44 countries (associations, conservatories, academies, universities) working on behalf of Women in Music. In December 2003, with a Decree from the State Archives and Heritage Ministry, the Library and Archives of the Foundation containing over 35 thousand scores of music by women were officially declared to be “historically relevant for the State” and “essential for the study of women’s history”. Read more... |