Music as Agency

Music as Agency: Diversities of Perspectives on Artistic Citizenship focuses on the concept, application, interpretation and manifestation of Artistic Citizenship in diverse contexts. The key concepts that the book tackles are: Cultural experience, artistic practice, musical identities, equity, democracy, community, activism, resistance and empathy.

In giving an overview of aspects of the compound concept of artistic citizenship, Akuno and Westvall present the outcome of research and interrogation of practice by a global network of educator-researchers from Africa, the Americas, Asia and Europe. The book articulates notions of artistic citizenship, coming up with the term artizenship as a derivative of the composite term. It further explains and analyses practical ways of perceiving and relating to art spaces, art practices and arts objects towards belonging, being and becoming in a global space that is disparate, polarised and often alienating, and thus responding to issues such as social justice, identity, participation and inclusion. With a focus on music, the book targets musicians, scholars, educators and enthusiasts keen on gaining a deeper understanding of how music and musicking can influence human interactions towards social integration, trust, cultural awareness and intercultural understanding.

?This brilliant collection of essays is a matchless gift to anyone who takes a serious interest in the myriad powers of music to embody, inspire, advance, and protect civil responsibility, humane relationality, and an ?ethic of care? for people and cultures everywhere. In beautiful, jargon-free prose, the distinguished scholars and practitioners in this volume?from Europe, the Americas, Asia, and Africa?explain, analyze, clarify, deepen, and re-vision the meanings, practices, possibilities, and teaching of musics for Artistic Citizenship(s). Speaking personally, it is a joy to see how Music as Agency: Diversities of Perspectives on Artistic Citizenship goes far beyond the nascent efforts of Marissa Silverman and I to explain Artistic Citizenship more than a decade ago. Moreover, I am in admiration of how the authors in this book conceive and unfold their discussions in exceptionally creative, elegant, and erudite ways. This comprehensive volume will surely advance and shape the field of Artistic Citizenship for decades to come and transport the discipline to every corner of the globe.?

-          David J. Elliott, Professor Emeritus of Music and Music Education, New York University