OASAM - Open Access Strategies for Arts and Music

The transition to Open Access (OA) remains a challenge in the Arts and Aesthetics. Publications in visual and performing arts, design, music research and related theory subjects tend to be more complex than in other subjects. Long-form publications and innovative publication formats play a much more important role than in other disciplines.

This project will examine the challenges in OA in the above mentioned disciplines, collate the authors’ needs and requirements and identify practical solutions regarding relevant OA formats and practices, as well as the required support for researchers.

OASAM will start with an overview of the current situation in OA publishing in the arts, based on a quantitative survey, a publication analysis and qualitative interviews with stakeholders. The findings from this initial overview are then complemented with insights from selected case studies. The project will include an evaluation of the technological aspects which determine the framework conditions of OA publishing.

OASAM builds on the work of previous swissuniversities initiatives and will bring together key stakeholders from a number of Swiss higher education institutions (HEI) and incorporate the expertise of external partners such as CCDigitalLaw. The broad diversity of project members, who include researchers, research support staff and Open Science experts, ensures a comprehensive pool of expertise.

The project is divided into five work packages. The expected project outcomes are, based on the survey, bibliometric analysis, interviews and case studies, a catalogue of solutions for OA publishing challenges in the arts and aesthetics.