Association Européenne des Conservatoires

What Association Européenne des Conservatoires does

The Association Européenne des Conservatoires, Académies de Musique et Musikhochschulen (AEC), founded in 1953 and headquartered in Brussels, is a membership-based cultural and educational network representing nearly 300 higher music education institutions (HMEIs) across 57 countries. Its primary constituents are conservatoires, music academies, and Musikhochschulen delivering EQF Level 4+ programmes, with secondary reach into non-European institutions via Associate membership and into music students and professionals through downstream services. AEC operates as a non-profit under Belgian association law with a lean Brussels-based staff of 7 employees and 2 interns.

AEC's core technology infrastructure centres on the EASY Mobility Online platform — a multi-institutional online application system for ERASMUS and NORDPLUS student exchanges, migrated in 2023 from Dreamapply to SoP's Mobility Online platform for Erasmus Without Paper compatibility, serving 71 internal-user institutions across 21 countries in 2026 and processing over 8,000 applications annually. Complementary platforms include the AEC Vacancy Platform (job listings across the sector), the Mobility Information Portal covering 136 institutions, and a Members Database of nearly 300 institutions. Beyond technology, AEC delivers counselling visits, project support for EU funding applications, coordination of institutional networks (e.g., METRIC), and thematic community platforms including the Annual Congress, IRC Meeting, EPARM, and Pop & Jazz Platform.

AEC's revenue model combines three streams: annual membership fees (Active and Associate tiers), tiered EASY platform subscriptions (€500–€1,800 annually by applicant volume), and EU project funding through Creative Europe, Erasmus+, and Horizon Europe programmes. The organisation acts as both coordinator and partner on multi-year EU-funded network projects (AEC-SMS 2017–2021, AEC-ARTEMIS 2022–2025, AEC 2025–2028), with an additional 2026 launch of the Digital Transformation Stakeholder Network signalling continued product and ecosystem expansion. Distribution is entirely direct-institutional and digital; AEC does not employ paid advertising.

Name

Association Européenne des Conservatoires

Legal name

Association Européenne des Conservatoires, Académies de Musique et Musikhochschulen

Website

https://aec-music.eu

Company type

Private

Founded year

1953

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

The Association Européenne des Conservatoires (AEC) is a Brussels-based membership network representing nearly 300 higher music education institutions across 57 countries, delivering advocacy, EU-funded projects, and digital mobility services including the EASY application platform.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Higher Music Education Association Services

NAICS

Business Associations (813910), Professional Organizations (81392), Convention and Trade Show Organizers (561920)

SIC

Services-Membership Organizations (8600), Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Online/Distance Education Quality & Accreditation Bodies (EDADACAK)

akta.pro secondary industry

Conferences & Conventions Operations Services (Registration, AV, Logistics) (MPAGAGAM)

Keywords

• Higher music education
• Membership association
• Student mobility platform
• Arts advocacy network
• Professional music training

Headquarters

HQ city

Etterbeek

HQ country

Belgium

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Annual Membership Fees: AEC generates revenue through annual membership fees paid by Active and Associate member institutions. Fee levels differ by membership category, with Active members paying higher fees and holding voting rights, while Associate members pay the lowest fee level. The specific fee schedule is detailed in the membership information brochure.
2. EASY Mobility Online Subscriptions: Institutions pay subscription fees to join EASY as internal users. Fees are tiered by total number of applicants (outgoing + incoming), ranging from €500 (1–15 applicants) to €1,800 (200+ applicants) annually. Subscriptions open annually with 71 institutions joining in 2026.
3. EU Project Funding (Creative Europe, Erasmus+, Horizon Europe): AEC receives significant funding through EU programmes including Creative Europe (networks and cooperation projects), Erasmus+ (strategic partnerships, CBHE, KA220), and Horizon Europe (research projects). AEC acts as project coordinator or partner, pursuing strategic goals to foster excellence in professional arts education. Project roles include Coordinator, Partner, and Application Writer/Editor.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

AEC is a European membership association for higher music education institutions, providing institutional membership services, EU-level advocacy, digital platforms (EASY Mobility Online and the Vacancy Platform), annual events such as the AEC Congress and International Relations Coordinator (IRC) meetings, and participation in EU-funded collaborative projects. It supports approximately 300 conservatoires, music academies, and universities with music departments across 57 countries.

Product overview

AEC operates as a membership-based network organization offering a portfolio of interconnected platforms and services for higher music education institutions. The core digital infrastructure centers on the EASY Mobility Online system for student exchange applications, complemented by the AEC Vacancy Platform and Mobility Information Portal. Supporting services include counselling visits, project support for EU funding applications, institutional network coordination, and professional development platforms including the Annual Congress, IRC Meeting, and Pop and Jazz Platform. The organization also publishes research, policy papers, and practical guides, and maintains a members database and student support services.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• AEC Institutional Membership Annual membership for higher music education institutions (conservatoires, music academies, universities with music departments) providing access to the AEC network, advocacy representation, events, and project participation.
• EASY Mobility Online Subscription-based digital platform used by member institutions to manage the administrative workflow of student and staff exchanges in higher music education, including learning agreements, transcripts, and recognition.
• AEC Vacancy Platform Online vacancy board used by higher music education institutions and arts organisations to post academic, artistic, and administrative job openings, and by candidates to identify positions across Europe.

Quantifiable outcome

• EASY Mobility Online exchanged more than 8,000 applications annually between 120+ institutions (as of 2023)
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers7 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles1 record

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration3 records

Feature3 records

Partnerships

18 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• European Association of Music in Schools (EAS)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMutual cooperation arrangement. AEC and EAS collaborate on matters of mutual interest relating to music education across school and higher education levels.
• European Chamber Music Teachers Association (ECMTA)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMutual cooperation arrangement. ECMTA represents chamber music teachers at European level; collaboration supports pedagogical exchange and professional development.
• European League of Institutes of the Arts (ELIA)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMutual cooperation arrangement. ELIA represents higher arts education institutions across Europe, overlapping with AEC's membership base in music and broader arts disciplines.
• European Music School Union (EMU)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMutual cooperation arrangement. EMU represents music schools at pre-higher education level, creating a pipeline connection to AEC's HMEI members. EMU is also a partner in the AEC-SMS project.
• European String Teachers Association (ESTA)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerMutual cooperation arrangement focused on string music education pedagogy and professional development.
• European University Alliance (EUA)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerEUA is listed as a partner organisation. Collaboration relates to higher education policy and institutional development within the European university sector.
• European Music不平 (JMI / Jeunesses Musicales International)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMutual cooperation arrangement. JMI focuses on youth and music; collaboration supports the shared goal of fostering musical participation and education across age groups.
• International Federation of Musicians (FIM)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMutual cooperation arrangement. FIM represents professional musicians globally; AEC collaborates on advocacy for musicians' professional conditions and rights.
• International Society for Music Education (ISME)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMutual cooperation arrangement. ISME is a global organisation for music education; collaboration extends AEC's international reach beyond Europe.
• National Association of Schools of Music – USA (NASM)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMutual cooperation arrangement. NASM is the US accrediting organisation for music education. AEC participated in the NASM Annual Meeting 2025 in Orlando, Florida, highlighting the essentiality of music globally.
• Performing Arts League Europe (Pearle*)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMutual cooperation arrangement. Pearle* represents performing arts organisations in Europe. Listed as a project partner in AEC-SMS. Collaboration on advocacy and sector representation.
• Composer AllianceminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerMutual cooperation arrangement supporting composer interests and rights within the higher music education and professional music ecosystem.
• European network for cultural transmission (ENCATC)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerMutual cooperation arrangement. ENCATC focuses on cultural policy, heritage, and education; collaboration enriches AEC's cultural policy advocacy work.
• Culture Action Europe (CAE)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerUmbrella organisation membership. CAE is the major European cultural advocacy coalition. AEC is a member and participates actively in CAE campaigns including the Cultural Deal for Europe and other EU policy initiatives.
• European Music Council (EMC)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerUmbrella organisation membership. EMC is the European branch of the International Music Council. AEC participates in EMC activities as part of its global music sector representation.
• International Music Council (IMC)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerUmbrella organisation membership. IMC is the major global body for music. AEC participates as part of its global networks and international relations strategy.
• SoP (Mobility Online)coreTechnology or IntegrationTechnology partnership for the EASY platform. Since early 2023, SoP's Mobility Online platform replaced the previous Dreamapply system, providing full Erasmus Without Paper (EWP) compatibility and interoperability with EWP Network protocols. SoP's Krystian Werner serves as EASY MO Project Manager embedded in the consortium.
• METRIC NetworkminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAEC provides coordination services for the METRIC Network (MetricImpro network), including organising meetings, maintaining the website, assisting with events, and keeping regular communications with partners.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves8 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Market position

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/aeconservatoire
• YouTubeyoutube.com/@aec_europeanconservatoires
• Facebookfacebook.com/AEConservatoires
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/aec---association-europ%C3%A9enne-des-conservatoires-acad%C3%A9mies-de-musique-et-musikhochschulen
• Instagraminstagram.com/aeconservatoires

Compliance1 record

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about Association Européenne des Conservatoires