Fees and Taxes 
With Project-Based Examples

 

Beyond creative work, taxes, social insurance, and knowledge of labor law are also part of everyday artistic life for musicians. But from what income level do income tax and insurance contributions need to be paid, and what percentage do they amount to? When do supplementary insurance policies make sense, or are there options for freelancers to protect themselves against loss of work? What advocacy organizations exist in Austria for musicians? How many performances at what fee do I need in order to cover my living expenses and provide for my future? How do I calculate fees for commissioned work? Are there fee standards? Which funding bodies can I apply to for my musical project?
 

Objectives

  • Gain an overview of the professional field of musicians
  • Understand the topics of tax returns, social insurance, employment contracts, fees, and funding opportunities
  • Solve your own challenges in these areas

Between 13:15 and 17:00, in addition to the course, there is the option to book a 15-minute individual consultation. Registration for this takes place during the course.


An offer in cooperation with mica - music austria, the Institute for Cultural Management and Gender Studies (IKM) and the Center for Further Education of the mdw.
 

Antonia Grüner © Maria Frodl


Course lecturer Antonia Grüner

Antonia Grüner studied law in Salzburg, La Rochelle, and at Humboldt University of Berlin. She worked at the Salzburg Festival, at the Camerata Salzburg, and at Karsten Witt's artist agency in Berlin as a manager for renowned classical musicians and singers. From 2013, she worked in the artistic operations office of Jeunesse – Musikalische Jugend Österreichs, and from 2016 to 2021 she served as the association's artistic director. Antonia Grüner was a member of the City of Vienna's Advisory Board for Music and a member of the Artistic Board of "Kultursommer Wien," and since 2018 she has been a member of the Supervisory Board and University Council of the Music and Arts University of the City of Vienna (MUK). At mica – music austria, Antonia Grüner works as a specialist for Classical and Global Music and is part of the Austrian Music Export team. 


Dagmar Abfalter © privat


Course lecturer Dagmar Abfalter

Dagmar Abfalter studied International Economics at the University of Innsbruck. In parallel, she completed an MBA in International Arts Management (ICCM/University of Salzburg). From 2002 to 2013, she was a university assistant at the Department of Strategic Management, Marketing and Tourism at the University of Innsbruck. From 2013 to 2018, she was an assistant professor at the Department of Cultural Management and Gender Studies (IKM) and completed her habilitation in Cultural Institutions Studies in 2018; she subsequently was an associate professor at the mdw from 2018 to 2023. She is head of the structured doctoral programme (sdp) and deputy dean of studies for academic degree programmes. For the International Journal of Arts Management, she serves as Associate Editor for the Management section. Since June 2023, Dagmar Abfalter has been Professor of Cultural Management at the Department of Cultural Management and Gender Studies (IKM) at the mdw – University of Music and Performing Arts Vienna, which she also heads. 

Workshop
 

 

Date
TH, 04.03.2027
9 am–1 pm (Group)
+
1.15 pm–5 pm (optional individual consultation)

Location
spiel|mach|t|raum, S 02 25, mdw-Campus, Anton-von-Webern-Platz 1, 1030 Wien

ECTS
The workshop, including preparation and follow-up, counts as 5h of 60 minutes (group appointment only) or 6h of 60 minutes (incl. individual counselling) for the Career Center elective

Registration
From 15.09.2026 at www.mdw.ac.at/zfw/kurse