From 27 to 29 August 2025, the Konzerthaus Dortmund, in cooperation with the Düsseldorf University of Applied Sciences and Arts, the Community Music Network Germany and the Paper Lantern Collective, is hosting a three-day international conference on the topic of community music. In workshops, panel discussions and presentations, its potential and relevance for society and cultural institutions will be discussed from a national and international perspective.

Three days of inspirational keynote presentations from international community music leaders, panel discussions, presentations, practical workshops, and musical sharings, that will allow participants to explore new ways of developing their practice and implementing change. The conference invites all leaders, academics, and practitioners from across the community arts, music education, social work, cultural funding, institution, policy, and wider German music sectors to come together and to collectively develop a shared vision for the next chapter of community music in Germany.

We invite community musicians and organisations to present their projects, share their learning experiences and resources / music. We look forward to receiving submissions from which the planning team will put together a diverse programme that is relevant to as many conference participants as possible.