Musikpark Mannheim

The music industry is the most economically significant part of the cultural industry. However, internet file-sharing and illegal CD burning have plunged it into a deep crisis. In 2003, many companies reported losses, artists lost their record contracts, and employees were laid off. A year later, the Music Park was opened in Mannheim, the first startup center for the music industry in Germany: was it recklessness or a stroke of genius? After a year and a half of existence, Lina Schwettscher takes stock of the work and impact of the Music Park and critically analyzes its implementation concept. By explaining the structure of the German music industry, providing an overview of the history and music of the city of Mannheim, and introducing the topic of entrepreneurship, the aim is to contextualize the practice of the Music Park within the existing structures it interacts with. Based on interviews with stakeholders, the concept of the Music Park will then be examined from various perspectives.