Ever since eXpression Umeå opened its doors, the incubator has been appreciated by musicians. Among the first to step in were hip-hop collective Random Bastards, and since then a stream of Umeå-based artists have filled in and embellished the community. The range is wide, with everything from hip-hop to singer-songwriters to sounding bowls.
It is becoming increasingly popular for artists and musicians to invest in their entrepreneurship and further professionalise their passion. This can be seen not least in the participant records of eXpression Umeå's business development programme. Today, for example, singer/songwriter Magda Andersson and the purple lady herself, Prince-inspired Hanna Ögren, are in the Creatives incubator programme - and singer-songwriter Natalie Carrion recently made a so-called exit.
Most musicians and artists have also participated in the eXpress pre-incubator programme. Last autumn, for example, the musician collective MÄJEB, which includes Matthew, Milad and Anton, was involved, and since then artists such as Vicki Jacobson, Karl Fjellborg, Joel Gerhardsson and Nathalie Lidqvist have followed suit (the latter is currently releasing a new single).
- We can clearly see that artists are paving the way for each other and there is a great interest in collaborating. The programmes create clusters of entrepreneurs who share similar challenges and discuss solutions together to help them move forward. It's particularly pleasing that so many musicians and artists have approached us in recent years," says Oscar Riby, business coach at eXpression Umeå.
Not only do traditional artists choose to invest in their entrepreneurship, but musicians from narrower world music genres can also be found among the programme participants. Recent examples include Prem Geetam, who creates sweet music with his singing bowls, and multi-instrumentalist Duneska Salazar.
- Cross-sectoral cooperation is always important. They create an exciting dynamic and give rise to new innovative ideas, which often go against current norms. But there is of course clear value for creators and entrepreneurs to have the opportunity to share experiences with others in the same sector. We hope to contribute to even better conditions for musicians and artists to support and help each other," says Emil Hägglund who, together with Oskar, is responsible for the eXpress programme.
Do you have a dream of developing your artistry or creative business idea into a sustainable enterprise? Test the idea in the eXpress programme. Applications close on 21 February.
