Ulysses Platform

The ULYSSES project was originally inspired by an illustrious generation of 18th Century artists who wandered across Europe, visiting at each “stop” along the way the greatest masters' workshops in order to improve and to complete their skills. Following the steps of the Homeric hero, their odyssey was an initiatory journey paving the way for future generations of young European artists. 

The Ulysses Platform focuses on the following commitment: to help emerging artists in contemporary music make a successful transition between formal training and making a living. The project will address this goal in several ways. Building on lessons from the Ulysses Network, the Platform will empower emerging artists by offering them opportunities to: 

• perform in a variety of high-visibility international contexts under the leadership of world class mentors from across Europe
• broaden their artistic skillsets through training and new contexts and situations that challenge them to be open, community-oriented and innovative, expanding their creativity and artistic practice
• connect with a growing network of peers and established professionals in Europe and beyond, brought together through both in-person and online activities in a community of “Ulysses Artists”
• learn the extra-musical skills that are not taught in traditional music education (such as self-promotion, contract negotiation, digital tools, fair practice etc.) but which are essential to defending their interests and thus sustainably supporting their careers

This multi-pronged approach will allow young artists to enter their professional lives armed with a broader vision, experience, knowledge and connections, contributing to a richer, more agile and more resilient European music sector.

The ULYSSES Platform 2024-2028 aims to leverage the positive results and accomplishments of the first, second and third ULYSSES Network projects that were carried out, with the support of the Culture programme of the European Union, from May 2012 to April 2016, from May 2016 to October 2020, and from November 2020 to October 2024.

AREAS OF ACTION

# ULYSSES Ensemble
Each year the Platform publishes a call to select international young musicians who come together to form the ULYSSES Ensemble. The ensemble tours for one season through Europe and benefits from several work-sessions in different places, including rehearsals and a series of public concerts with world-class conductors while presenting a different repertoire at each stop. Performing alongside members from renowned professional ensembles, working with young or confirmed composers on their repertoire or on new pieces in the making – the ULYSSES Ensemble offers a unique opportunity for professionalisation.

# ULYSSES Emerging Ensembles
The Platform also supports emerging ensembles. Identified by the member institutions, these young ensembles get the chance to tour among the network of institutions in the Platform in order to develop their own professional contacts, work with confirmed and young composers on new commissions, and participate in other ULYSSES activities.

# Ulysses Journeys 
Each year the ULYSSES Platform offers emerging artists a wide variety of concrete experiences (masterclasses, residencies, workshops …) in various domains (composition, improvisation, performance, electronics, sound design, curating …) in order to improve their skills under the leadership of world-class mentors.

# In-Situ
In-Situ activities put emerging artists in new situations – hence “In-Situ” – and broaden their creative and collaborative skills., with audience engagement as a key focus. In-Situ is a place for artists to innovate, experiment and take risks, with the support of the host members.

# Ulysses Co-Commissions
The ULYSSES Platform boosts the careers of promising emerging creators (composers, sound designers, video artists …) by providing them not only with a commission, but also a plan for the “life” of the work inside and outside the network. Out of this activity will emerge a new repertoire of works reflecting the diversity of European aesthetic approaches.

# Ulysses Online Sessions
These online events target the extra-musical needs of emerging artists, focusing on topics such as curation, self-promotion, budget management, relations with publishers, relations with artistic directors, grant application techniques, career management and more. Invited speakers present a specific topic then open the floor for discussion, questions and the sharing of personal experiences among the participants. The online sessions aim to equip emerging artists with the skills they need to defend themselves in a difficult and competitive world