Want to drop a hit? Collaborate!

Get over the conventional ways of working. Coworking is the next big thing and it is already transforming the way people look at their work.

So, what is coworking?

Answering this question is not as easy as it seems. The basic principles of coworking can be traced back hundreds of years to artist collectives and other communities of practice. It was only recently, however, that this got a new name. In simple words, Coworking is a style of work that involves a shared working environment, often an office, and independent activity. Unlike in a typical office environment, coworking is usually not employed by the same organization.

The word “Coworking” as it is known today, originates with a concept put forth by Brad Neuberg in 2005.

Brad gave it a name at a time when technology was facilitating such gatherings in new and unprecedented ways. It is the concept that is at once very specific but has been deliberately designed not to be defined by any one person. This has allowed co-working to thrive in many shapes and forms. It is based on a core set of shared values: Community, Openness, Collaboration, Accessibility, and Sustainability.

Artists and co-working: A match made in heaven!

Many writers, musicians, painters usually have a day job. If one has not found a way to support oneself as an artist, the need to make money can take away from one the opportunity to be creative. Coworking comes handy in such situations. The idea of coworking is creative in its own right, since it encourages collaboration and community.

Music is one industry which is tessellating with this concept rapidly and wonderfully.

Since its peak in 1999, the music industry has changed drastically, leaving many professional musicians alone to fend for themselves. Musicians, old and young, are now reliant on online digital platforms like YouTube, Soundcloud, to promote their music. When it comes to raising funds to record an album or touring, many people turn to crowd funding. As innovative and successful we have seen crowd-sourcing to be, it is also over saturated with projects and people looking to fund their ideas. In order to compete with the millions of artists using online platforms, a supportive community might be the key to success. In every stage, coworking can help musicians out of their stand-alone situations. From Berlin, Germany to Chicago, USA a number of coworking spaces have been utilized by numerous musicians to produce music in the past years. Companies like Artconnect and Con Artist provide coworking spaces to musicians.

How does coworking benefit musicians?

Shared rehearsal space is nothing new for musicians, and they have often led to some of the greatest musical collaborations in history. But when you add coworking to a shared space, musicians then also get the chance to create a network of people who may be able to contribute to their work beyond the musical level. Another huge advantage for musicians is often the amazing resources like rehearsal space, performance venues and workshops that these spaces provide. From solo music to collaborations, anything can happen in a place huddled by so many creative minds. Being in a creative space can also be the best way to kick out all kinds of artistic blocks.

Coworking might be the best answer now to solve a musician’s worst woes and help him/her grow while being in-tune with others!