The fourth and recently developed research theme is called Music, Media, and Making Public(s). This theme concerns the relationship between musicians and their audiences, a relationship now undergoing profound transformation due to the growing importance of digital media and mobile technologies. These technologies shape how people experience music and interact with it, enabling them to fragment, edit, and share it with others. The passive listener can thus become an active participant. While several publications have examined the impact of these technologies on musical experience, young emerging musicians often remain relatively unconcerned. Yet, by gaining a deeper understanding of music in the digital media landscape and making more intentional use of available information systems and devices, they could greatly expand their creative toolbox - developing a distinctive artistic identity, building a unique oeuvre, responding to the needs and interests of diverse listener groups, and exploring new forms of audience engagement.

Research into this theme - artistry in a mediatized world - is being conducted in collaboration with the Social Justice and Diversity in the Arts research group. Together with its Research Group Head, Naomi Bueno de Mesquita, lead researcher Victor van de Ven (teacher at AEMA) is focusing on the affordances of digital media and mobile technology. They are particularly concerned with the possibilities these offer for developing an artistic identity and a musical repertoire. Teachers of Music Technology and Entrepreneurship are involved in this research, ensuring that students are also exposed to it.