WOMEN CREATE MUSIC

Female creativity at the center. Strong partners. Sustainable support.

With Women Create Music, we are launching a long-term initiative dedicated to elevating and empowering female music creators across the entire music ecosystem. Our partners in this mission are I’M SOUND, BASF Kultur, Rosengarten/M:Con and Popakademie Mannheim — together we are building a movement that creates visibility, real opportunities, and lasting networks for female artists, songwriters, and producers.

We’re not here to run one-off campaigns or merely highlight industry imbalances—we are committed to taking action. Women Create Music is designed to deliver tangible output, long-term narratives, and sustainable structures that drive meaningful change.

A 360° approach for real impact: Convention, Songwriting Sessions, Release-Campaigns

The initiative spans every dimension of modern music making, professional development, and artistic visibility. Our program includes:

  • Songwriting Sessions at the Popakademie Baden-Württemberg

  • A Convention with panels, masterclasses, pitch sessions, and feedback rounds led by leading female decision-makers

  • A showcase stage spotlighting standout live performers

  • A professional release campaign for the strongest song

  • A German Songwriting Awards wildcard for the best live performance

Two events, one narrative — continuity over one-time impact

Women Create Music unfolds in two major chapters:

  • March 7 2026 at Popakademie Mannheim(Songwriting Sessions)

  • October 24-25 2026 at the BASF Gesellschaftshaus Ludwigshafen and Popakademie Mannheim (Songwriting Sessions & Convention)

Both events are tied together through a year-round narrative—open calls, social-media storytelling, expert and A&R introductions, behind-the-scenes insights, and a dedicated release campaign. The result is a living, evolving ecosystem that extends far beyond individual event days.

Women Create Music brings together strong cultural partners, deep industry expertise, and a shared commitment to long-term change. Our goal is to empower female talent in a lasting way, open new career paths, and set a forward-thinking standard for talent development and gender equity in the music industry.

MANNHEIM EDITION — FOCUS SONGWRITING, March 7th 2026, popakademie

Our Songwriting Sessions in Mannheim mark a powerful kickoff for our Women Initiative and offer a unique opportunity to write, collaborate, and grow alongside other outstanding female music creators.

In a carefully curated format, we bring together selected producers, songwriters, topliners, lyricists, and artists — intentionally matched so that 3–5 creatives enter a studio together, ready to spark real magic. Different strengths, shared ambition, maximum creative energy. The goal: authentic exchange, professional growth, long-term creative connections — and of course, kick-ass songs.

All of this takes place in the best possible setting: the Popakademie Baden-Württemberg in Mannheim!

The Popakademie is one of Europe’s most renowned universities for popular music and music business — a hub for innovation, excellence, and forward-thinking artistry. There couldn’t be a more inspiring environment to launch such a strong and intentional creative movement.

How it works

Participation is based on an open application process. We carefully review every submission and curate each session in a way that ensures every selected creator benefits artistically, strategically, and professionally.

And here’s the game-changing extra:

One of the songs created during the sessions will receive a professional release campaign. The selected track will be chosen by our board of outstanding female music industry decision-makers. The official announcement will take place at our major We Create Music Networking Convention on March 20, 2026, in Berlin — in front of an influential network of industry professionals, creatives, and partners.

If you’d like to be part of this, tell us about yourself, your creative journey, and include links to your music in the message section of your application.

Let’s build. Let’s collaborate. Let’s create impact.

Apply now!