amplify artistry, equalise chances

Too many aspiring professional musicians worldwide struggle to turn their art into sustainable livelihoods. In response, we share knowledge and equipment to turn talent into careers.

We open the access to music production

Learning to produce, publish, and promote art does not have to be expensive or exclusive. Our education programme, AMP, provides education in both music production and music business skills. Designed to complement music school curricula, it requires no additional investment, using mobile phones and free online resources.

Training in music production improves music education, activates storytelling and advocacy, and amplifies musicians’ professional prospects, among other benefits. In turn, that knowledge yields returns in economic, social, and cultural terms, as our pilot project in São Paulo demonstrated.

IRMA is a Swiss non-profit organisation that mobilises music, musicians, and music production to address the unequal distribution of privileges globally.

We believe music has unique potential to open career opportunities, yield benefits for individuals and communities, and support cultural preservation and advocacy.

IRMA works in two ways

1

We deliver capacity-building programmes and equipment

2

© Photo by N. Ljuslin

We research the impact of music and musicians on society

Our Main project

AMP: Amplifying musicians prospects

Thousands of musicians graduate from music schools each year with career dreams. But too many lack the basic music production and business skills to make it in a saturated industry.

Our project AMP is a response to this issue. It is mobile-first training that turns musicians into creators and entrepreneurs able to cut through the noise.

AMP delivers:

  • Practical skills in audio and video production using just smartphones
  • Cultural impact, teaching strategies to document and share musical productions
  • Music business essentials, including promotion, career management, and (mental) health

Among the participants of AMP’s pilot project in São Paulo:

0%

gained a sense of strengthening as an artist

0%

found the AMP programme excellent

0%

gained new career perspectives

Our research shows that training in music production improves music education, activates storytelling and advocacy, and amplifies musicians’ professional prospects, among other benefits.

What participants in our AMP pilot project in São Paulo had to say:

I used the recording techniques to promote my work on social media and to record myself for auditions.
AMP expanded my view of music and the music business. Today, I have a deeper and more professional view of various subjects that I would not have had if it weren't for the course.
AMP was a jewel on my path. I was able to see skills in myself that I was unaware of. I was able to believe that, although the music market is difficult, with the right knowledge and tools, one can have a very happy life in this area. I am very grateful.
This course is very important. I hope it will be brought to more students. After all, most people have a cell phone nowadays. They know how to edit videos. But they do it intuitively. With the course, we understood how recordings are made and how to improve ours.

Our broader work

  • Evidence-based research and presentations on the impact of music on society.
  • Collectives Reflections: Workshops where artists research how they can act in a world in crisis.
  • Collaborations: Supporting war-affected children in Armenia, Ukrainian refugee musicians, and climate awareness projects.

© Photo by N. Ljuslin

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