The need for cultural expression and exchange is universal, yet the access to cultural arenas and the opportunities to take part and collaborate are not equally, universally accessible. Geographical location and physical distance are obvious limitations that inhibit this equal access.

What if we could create a feeling of equal presence and participation with digital technology over larger distances?

University College of Music Education in Stockholm / Stockholms Musikpedagogiska Institut (SMI) presents a Nordic collaborative project in which digital technology guarantees musicians and performers the possibility to perform, rehearse, teach and practice in their artistry with colleagues in other venues across great distances, without experiencing latency. The solution is dependable and reliable and allows transferal of great amount of digital information, with high quality sound and picture and without noticeable delay in time. The result? ”It feels like you’re in the same room, together!”.

For SMI this is now tested in musical instrument teaching where for example a cello teacher is regularly teaching from venues at SMI, giving lessons to pupils located on the island of Åland. The vision for music and culture schools is the opportunity to reduce travel, share teacher resources and skills, and offer functional instrumental teaching and musical interaction to a broader public across the country or even across country borders.

For theatres, orchestras and others, this technology can enable new and more flexible ways of working and setting up productions, possibly reducing transport costs and transfers for rehearsals and performances, making it both more accessible and sustainable in the end.

Nordic Centre for Digital Presence (NCDP) is a network of organizations that is promoting the development of this technical platform. The NCDP network includes universities, theatres, music schools, system specialists and organizations within performing arts, mainly from the Nordic countries.

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