Even if isa’s 2020 focus on heroism might initially strike one as anachronistic, the fact is that the celebration and/or rejection of heroes is an immanent part of cultural systems. An ongoing search for guiding figures sees individuals from politics and various sports stylised as heroes, while the term “everyday heroes” is reserved for those working as firefighters and rescue personnel.

In the run-up to the 30th International Summer Academy of the mdw, the present year will also see the Semmering region host the eighth edition of isaScience. This conference invites researchers, arts professionals, and activists of all academic levels and from various academic disciplines relevant to music and the performing arts in general to join in the discourse on “Heroes?!”, this year’s thematic emphasis at isa.

Shzr Ee Tan was a panellist in the discussion addressing the themes of human rights, equality, and anti-discrimination” held on 10 December 2019 at the mdw.

The mdw held its second-ever celebration of Human Rights Day on 10 December 2019 with a panel discussion addressing the themes of human rights, equality, and anti-discrimination.

2019 saw Patricia Nolz become the first woman to win the CARSA as a vocalist. It was the seventh awarding of this EUR 10,000 prize that helps support promising artists studying at the mdw as they start their professional careers.

On 29 November 2019, the Music and Minorities Research Center (MMRC) was formally and festively opened following a several-month conceptual phase.

The fact that gender identity and sexual orientation play a role in the workplace is demonstrated by a recent study on “Workplace Situations of LGBTI Individuals in Austria” commissioned by the Vienna Chamber of Labour.