About

The CNMlab is the Ideas Lab of the Centre national de la musique. At the crossroads of research and music, it tackles a wide range of topics with a current or future impact on the music sector. It is recognized for its expertise and popularized scientific work intended for professionals and the general public.

The Centre national de la musique (CNM) is a French public institution created on January 1st, 2020. Its missions are to support the music sector in all its diversity, to inform and advise music industry professionals, to identify and apprehend technology trends that will transform the sector, and to promote innovation. The Law of October 30, 2019, relating to the creation of the CNM, entrusted the CNM with the mission to establish an observatory of the economy and compile data for the entire sector.  

To expand on this mission, the CNMlab develops a complementary approach to CNM’s studies by analyzing the music industry’s evolution at the intersection of research and professional practices. By promoting dialogue between these two fields, the CNMlab contributes to a better understanding of current developments, broadens perspectives on professional practices, and fuels strategic foresight on the the possible futures of the music ecosystem.

The CNMlab takes on different activities including publications, seminars, working groups, panels, etc. It brings together writers from various backgrounds and nationalities – specialists from public and private sectors, experts or researchers in the topics covered, both in France and internationally. These collaborations cover a wide range of themes in relation to emerging trends and challenges facing the music industry, such as business models, music practices, diversity, environmental transition, digital economy, Europe, cultural heritage, innovation…

The CNMlab publishes studies and notes   using different formats:

  • “Collections”: collaborative collections featuring scientific contributions and in-depth interviews with professionals, which aim to present different approaches and analyses around a given theme each year
  • “Long wave”: in depth reports which stem from long-term projects and research
  • “Short wave”: publications that are more concise, comprehensive and dynamic in format
  • “Reading notes”: very short formats linking existing academic works with current or prospective professional challenges

All publications are intended to educate music industry players, public authorities, the media and the general public. The CNMlab ensures academic independence, which guarantees the quality, plurality, and rigor of its publications.

With the aim of creating closer links to the academic world, the CNMlab regularly brings together a scientific committee of around 20 figures from various domains, such as sociologists, economists, historians, lawyers, musicologists, and philosophers. This advisory board, unprecedented in the music world, reinforces the CNMlab’s research program and fosters greater interaction between the spheres of academia and research. The scientific committee may identify future themes for the CNMlab to study, suggest contributors and monitor research progress.

All CNMlab publications are available for free on this website (cnmlab.fr).

A call for contributions is open to anyone wishing to publish: all information here.

Scientific committee