IN.TUNE
Alliance website: IN.TUNE
Faculty of Music website: Faculty of Music
Objectives
IN.TUNE (Innovative Universities in Music & Arts in Europe) is a European University Alliance bringing together eight leading higher education institutions specialising in music and the arts. As the only alliance of its kind within the European Universities Initiative, IN.TUNE seeks to strengthen education, artistic practice, artistic research, research, and societal engagement through close international collaboration. The University of Arts in Belgrade is one of the Alliance’s eight full partners and leads the Alliance’s work in communication, dissemination, and advocacy. IN.TUNE is committed to building a shared European Higher Education Area for music and the arts by: enhancing the quality of education, research, artistic research, and innovation; developing innovative, interdisciplinary, and flexible learning opportunities and educational models; promoting the mobility of students, academic staff, researchers, and professional services staff; strengthening collaboration between higher education institutions, the cultural and creative sectors, and society; fostering diversity, inclusion, equality, and shared European values; reinforcing the role of music and the arts in addressing contemporary societal and global challenges; encouraging knowledge exchange, co-creation, and sustainable institutional cooperation across Europe.
Activities
The Alliance develops and implements:
– joint educational programmes and courses;
– physical, virtual, and blended mobility programmes;
– collaborative research and artistic projects;
– conferences, workshops, and other international events;
– professional networks for students, academic staff, researchers, and professional services staff;
– funding opportunities and support programmes for international collaboration.
Expected Outcomes
Through the collaboration of its partner institutions, IN.TUNE aims to:
– establish sustainable mechanisms for cooperation among European universities specialising in music and the arts;
– expand opportunities for international education and mobility;
– develop innovative approaches to learning, research, artistic research, and artistic creation;
– strengthen students’ employability and professional competences;
– foster stronger links between higher education and the cultural and creative sectors;
– contribute to the development of an innovative, inclusive, and sustainable European Higher Education Area.
Partner Institutions
Implementation Period: 2024–2027
Funding: European Commission
IN.TUNE Alliance Summit in Vienna
May 11-13, 2026
From 11 to 13 May 2026, the IN.TUNE Alliance Summit took place in Vienna, hosted by mdw – University of Music and Performing Arts Vienna. The three-day event brought together Alliance members to exchange experiences, discuss the future of music and arts education in Europe, and plan the next phase of the project’s activities.
For the first time, representatives of all IN.TUNE work packages, working groups, the Governing Board, the alliance management team, the Student Council, and the associated partners gathered in one place. The programme featured plenary sessions, thematic meetings, cross-work package discussions, artistic performances, and numerous opportunities for collaboration and networking among the project partners.
The University of Arts in Belgrade was represented by Prof. Mirjana Nikolić, PhD, Rector; Prof. Dimitrije Pecić, DA, Vice-Rector; and Goran Bogunović, International Relations Officer and member of the mobility work package. The delegation of the Faculty of Music, comprising academic and professional staff actively involved in the Alliance, was led by Prof. Slobodan Gerić, DA, Dean.
IN.TUNE Alliance Leaders’ Meeting in Helsinki
April 16-18, 2026
From 16 to 18 April 2026, Prof. Mirjana Nikolić, Rector of the University of Arts in Belgrade, participated in the IN.TUNE Alliance Leaders’ Meeting, hosted by the Sibelius Academy and the University of the Arts Helsinki. The meeting also provided an opportunity to meet the newly appointed Dean of the Sibelius Academy, Kaisa Rönkkö, and to gain further insight into the activities and strategic development of the Sibelius Academy, the Theatre Academy, and the Academy of Fine Arts of the University of the Arts Helsinki.
The meeting brought together the leaders of the IN.TUNE Alliance to discuss the specific characteristics of their respective national higher education systems, including accreditation frameworks, teaching workload regulations, the terms of office of senior leadership, and other institutional parameters that influence the implementation of the Alliance’s activities.
The participants also reviewed the achievements of the Alliance partner institutions to date, reflected on the current challenges facing the Alliance, and considered prospects for the continuation and further development of their collaboration. It was acknowledged that the Alliance has delivered significant results; however, particular emphasis was placed on the need for more systematic monitoring of key performance indicators (KPIs), stronger integration across the work packages, and enhanced visibility and dissemination of the Alliance’s activities and outcomes.
IN.TUNE Governance Week
June 16-19, 2025
From 16 to 19 June 2025, the IN.TUNE Governance Week was held at the Conservatoire National Supérieur de Musique et de Danse de Paris (CNSMDP).
Representatives of the University of Arts in Belgrade were Prof. Mirjana Nikolić, PhD, Rector; Prof. Dimitrije Pecić, DA, Vice-Rector for International Cooperation; Prof. Slobodan Gerić, DA, Dean of the Faculty of Music; Prof. Ivana Perković, PhD, Institutional Manager of the IN.TUNE Alliance; and student Dušan Dakić.
Through a series of plenary sessions and governance meetings, participants discussed the Alliance’s key achievements and current challenges, the strategic value of membership in the Alliance, and approaches to further strengthening its activities. The discussions focused on deepening institutional cooperation, aligning strategic priorities, and shaping the future development of the Alliance.
The programme of the IN.TUNE Governance Week also featured a joint artistic performance by students and artists from the Alliance’s partner institutions.
Support from the IN.TUNE European University Alliance for Students and Staff of the University of Arts in Belgrade
February 2025
The IN.TUNE European University Alliance stands in unwavering solidarity with the students and academic community of the University of Arts in Belgrade, one of the IN.TUNE Alliance partners. Over the past three months, we have closely monitored the developments at the University of Arts in Belgrade, its four faculties and other universities across Serbia.
The IN.TUNE Alliance, including the rectors, presidents of partner universities, alliance leadership, and the IN.TUNE Student Council, expresses deep concern while offering strong and unequivocal support for the students in Serbia and their legitimate demands.
We are particularly moved by the student-led nature of these movements, which strive for positive societal change and a just society. Their fight aligns with the shared European values of democracy, social and human rights, to which all alliance leaders affirmed their commitment in our Joint Vision Statement.
As IN.TUNE’s core values include transparency, accountability, and the promotion of education as a fundamental human right, we are deeply troubled by the various risks that students and university staff in Serbia face while advocating for these rights, and by the escalating attacks on students during peaceful protests. We extend our empathy and solidarity to our colleagues – both educators and students – who are navigating these challenging circumstances.
Advocating for secure and improved working conditions for professors, students, and staff – on par with those enjoyed by colleagues across the alliance – is essential for maintaining the high quality of education at the University of Arts in Belgrade, which we greatly respect. Such excellence can only flourish in an environment that upholds the shared fundamental values of democracy, human rights, equality and academic and artistic freedom.
The IN.TUNE Alliance is staying closely tuned to the developments in Serbia, and with great concern. In these challenging times, being IN TUNE with each other is more important than ever.
Innovative Universities in Music & Arts in Europe – IN.TUNE is the only European University Alliance in the field of music and arts. It brings together eight universities from North, East, South and West Europe – Norwegian Academy of Music Oslo (Norway), National University of Music Bucharest (Romania), Conservatoire National Supérieur de Musique et de Danse de Paris (France), University of Arts Helsinki (Finland), Escola Superior de Música de Catalunya Barcelona (Spain), University of Music and Performing Arts Vienna (Austria), University of Arts The Hague (The Netherlands) and University of Arts in Belgrade (Serbia) – striving to deepen their cooperation to bring about institutional transformation and the enhancement of their quality, performance, attractiveness and international competitiveness. In line with the goals set by the European strategy for universities, underlining the important role of higher education in shaping sustainable, democratic and resilient societies, IN.TUNE members are committed to the development of a joint long-term strategy with a strong artistic dimension for high quality education, research, innovation and service to society, becoming a role model for the wider higher education community across Europe and beyond.
Leaders of the IN.TUNE Alliance Partner Institutions Visit the University of Arts in Belgrade
September 18, 2024
On September 18, 2024, the Rectorate of the University of Arts in Belgrade hosted a meeting of the women leaders – rectors, presidents and deans – of six distinguished European universities and higher education institutions. Together with the University of Arts in Belgrade and its Faculty of Music, these institutions are partners in the European University Alliance IN.TUNE and actively contribute to its collaborative initiatives and project activities.
The Rector of the University of Arts in Belgrade, Prof. Mirjana Nikolić, welcomed the following colleagues: Prof. Astrid Kvalbein, Rector of the Norwegian Academy of Music (NMH), Oslo; Prof. Diana Moș, Rector of the National University of Music Bucharest (UNMB); Prof. Émilie Delorme, Director of the Conservatoire National Supérieur de Musique et de Danse de Paris (CNSMDP); Prof. Emilie Gardberg, Dean of the Sibelius Academy, University of the Arts Helsinki (Uniarts Helsinki); Prof. Núria Sempere Comas, Director of the Escola Superior de Música de Catalunya (ESMUC), Barcelona; and Prof. Lies Colman, Director of the Royal Conservatoire of the University of the Arts The Hague (KC–HdK).
The programme included a presentation of the University of Arts in Belgrade, followed by a meeting during which the institutional leaders discussed the role of higher education leadership in strengthening cooperation within the Alliance, the challenges and potential risks associated with its development, and the new opportunities that this collaboration may offer to the partner institutions in the years ahead.
The meeting of the Alliance leaders was organised along with the two-day meeting of Work Package 8 – Dissemination and Communication, hosted by the University of Arts in Belgrade. At the Alliance level, Work Package 8 is led and coordinated by the Faculty of Music of the University of Arts in Belgrade.
IN.TUNE Alliance Meeting Held at the Norwegian Academy of Music in Oslo
June 17-18, 2024
On June 17 and 18, 2024, the Norwegian Academy of Music in Oslo hosted a joint meeting of the IN.TUNE Alliance Governing Board, Executive Board, Management Team, and Student Council.
A key milestone of the meeting was the signing of the Consortium Agreement by all eight Alliance partner institutions. On behalf of the University of Arts in Belgrade, the Agreement was signed by the Rector, Prof. Mirjana Nikolić. The meeting also provided an excellent opportunity for the partners to exchange experiences, review the progress of the Alliance, and establish priorities and plans for its future activities.
In addition to Rector Nikolić, the University of Arts in Belgrade was represented by Prof. Dragana Jovanović, Vice-Dean of the Faculty of Music; Prof. Ivana Perković, Institutional Manager of the IN.TUNE Alliance; and students Dušan Dakić and Stefan Josipović from the Faculty of Music.
Institutional Visit of the IN.TUNE Alliance Management
March 1, 2024
On March 1, 2024, the Rectorate of the University of Arts in Belgrade hosted an institutional visit by representatives of the management of the IN.TUNE European University Alliance.
The visit included a presentation of the Alliance and its project activities delivered by the Alliance Co-Secretaries, Martin Prchal of the Royal Conservatoire, The Hague, and Tone Jordhus of the Norwegian Academy of Music. The programme also featured a series of meetings with the leadership of the Rectorate and the Faculty of Music, representatives of the University’s administrative services, students, and members of the Alliance’s work packages.
IN.TUNE – Innovative Universities in Music and Arts in Europe (2024–2028) is the only European University Alliance dedicated to the fields of music and the arts. Officially launched on 1 January 2024, the Alliance brings together eight leading higher education institutions to create a dynamic educational environment that enables students, academic staff, and professional staff to address contemporary societal and artistic challenges through close international collaboration.
The Alliance consortium consists of the Norwegian Academy of Music (Coordinator), the Royal Conservatoire of the University of the Arts The Hague, the Conservatoire National Supérieur de Musique et de Danse de Paris, the University of Music and Performing Arts Vienna, the Escola Superior de Música de Catalunya (Barcelona), the Sibelius Academy of the University of the Arts Helsinki, the National University of Music Bucharest, and the University of Arts in Belgrade – Faculty of Music.
In addition, a network of 19 associated partners contributes specialist expertise in research, societal engagement, and related fields, supporting the Alliance in achieving its objectives and strengthening the dissemination and long-term impact of its activities and results.
Representatives of the University of Arts in Belgrade and the Faculty of Music Present the IN.TUNE Alliance at the AEC Congress in The Hague
November 10, 2023
The Annual Congress of the Association Européenne des Conservatoires, Académies de Musique et Musikhochschulen (AEC), at which the newly established IN.TUNE European University Alliance was presented as a major new initiative in European cooperation in music and the arts, was held on 10 November 2023 in The Hague, the Netherlands.
The University of Arts in Belgrade was represented at the Congress by Prof. Mirjana Nikolić, PhD, Rector; Prof. Ivana Perković, PhD, Faculty of Music; and Prof. Dragana Jovanović, DA, Vice-Dean of the Faculty of Music.
The European Union has selected the application for IN.TUNE –Innovative Universities in Music & Arts in Europe as one of the seven outstanding alliances out of 39 submissions. The official launch of the program took place today, during the 50th annual AEC congress at the Royal Conservatoire in The Hague. This first European Universities Alliance in the area of music and arts fully subscribes to the principles and goals set by the recent European Strategy for Universities, which underlines the important role of higher education in shaping sustainable, democratic and resilient societies. It is as a role model for the transformation of the European higher music education sector towards an inclusive and excellent, societally responsible and autonomous, innovative and student-centred future.
A strong consortium in the midst of societal change
IN.TUNE is set to become a remarkable addition to the European University initiative, being the first alliance dedicated to the field of music and arts. The establishment of IN.TUNE takes place in the midst of various societal developments, which present both opportunities and challenges to higher music education and the cultural and creative sector. Changes in the situations of musicians and artists due to rapid technological developments, shifts in professional roles and increasingly insecure forms of funding to the cultural and creative sector, are urging institutions to adapt their traditional pedagogical practices. IN.TUNE brings together a consortium of prestigious institutions that share a collective vision of enhancing their quality, performance, attractiveness, and international competitiveness. The partner institutions include the Norwegian Academy of Music Oslo, National University for Music Bucharest, Conservatoire de Paris, Uniarts Helsinki – Sibelius Academy, Escola Superior de Música de Catalunya Barcelona, University of Music and Performing Arts Vienna, University of the Arts The Hague – Royal Conservatoire, and University of Arts Belgrade.
Working towards long-term sustainability
The collaboration’s design is rooted in the creation of frameworks, methodologies, and policies, each with specific activities and deliverables aimed at ensuring long-term sustainability. The alliance’s work revolves around four core thematic areas: Joint Education Provision & Mobility, Research & Innovation, Societal Engagement, and Alliance Governance & Cooperation. These areas will be addressed through eight work packages with each partner institution leading one but also actively participating in others, ensuring that expertise, commitment, and workload are equally distributed. Key outcomes will include mobility frameworks, research and innovation collaboration mechanisms, and policies for societal engagement. Lies Colman, director of the Royal Conservatoire of The Hague: ‘The COVID pandemic has had an enormous impact on art education and artistic activity, especially in the field of the performing arts. Other major global challenges, such as geopolitical instability, climate change and the growing awareness of the importance of diversity, inclusion, equity and gender equality, make it necessary that we, as leading and internationally oriented institutions, take an active stance toward these societal developments. By doing this together, we will not only be more effective, but also offer a meaningful contribution to strengthening a European identity and promoting European values, which we believe to be crucial in addressing and resolving large societal challenges.’
Rector of the University of Arts in Belgrade, Prof. Mirjana Nikolić, PhD, in her presentation emphasized the importance of the topics that IN.TUNE will deal with, as well as satisfaction with the opportunity to participate in the realization of the operational and strategic goals of such an important and specific alliance: ‘Together with our European partners, we are filled with great enthusiasm and readiness to share experiences, learn from each another, and collectively flourish within the realm of the IN.TUNE university alliance, which brings together the most significant universities in the field of music and arts. We recognize the immense value of this initiative as it encompasses the development of teaching and learning, research and innovation, aligning seamlessly with the university’s third mission and the key areas outlined in the national strategy for universities in Serbia.’
Next steps
The collaboration aims to play an active role in shaping the future of both the sector and our societies by taking up the educational, professional, societal, technological and ecological challenges of today through creating a forward-looking institutional environment, and by empowering students and staff to address these challenges in their creative work. In the coming months, the eight partner institutions will be working on the first outlines of the framework around the core thematic areas. Each lead institution will keep involved and interested parties updated via regular publications on the website intune-alliance.eu.
For further information, please contact:
Tone Jordhus, Norwegian Academy of Music Oslo: Tone.Jordhus@nmh.no
Martin Prchal, Royal Conservatoire The Hague: M.Prchal@koncon.nl
About IN.TUNE:
IN.TUNE is an Innovative Universities in Music & Arts alliance established to foster collaboration and transformation in the field of music and arts education across Europe. Comprising eight distinguished partner institutions, IN.TUNE is committed to enhancing the quality, performance, and international competitiveness of arts education and research.
