Artist economics
New models for ownership, funding and sustainable creative careers beyond extractive revenue systems.
ALERA LABS / MUSIC + TECHNOLOGY
Research for
Research for
artist futures.
Our not-for-profit R&D arm explores how technology can help the next generation of artists build a better world for themselves—and for the communities around them.
The future of music should not be designed without artists in the room.
ALERA Labs brings artists, technologists, researchers and industry thinkers together to investigate emerging systems before they become fixed rules. We turn that research into practical experiments, open knowledge and direct support for artist-led work.
RESEARCH TERRITORIES / 2026
Where we
Where we
work.
Creative technology
Tools that expand what artists can make while preserving authorship, agency and meaningful human choice.
Direct relationships
Infrastructure that lets artists and audiences connect without surrendering the context or value they create.
Cultural futures
Research into how emerging technology changes creative communities, access, identity and participation.
THE MEDICI PROGRAM
Fund the work.
Fund the work.
Keep it yours.
Medici is a no-strings-attached funding program for artists within the ALERA community. Selected applicants receive funding to bring a defined musical project to life—without giving up ownership, royalties, masters, publishing or creative control.
THE OWNERSHIP PROMISE
100%
of the art remains with the artist.
WHAT MEDICI CAN FUND
One idea.
One idea.
A real next step.
The program supports focused projects with a clear creative intention and a realistic path to completion. Scale matters less than what the work could unlock for the artist and their community.
EPsAlbumsMusic videosShort filmsLive worksCross-disciplinary projects
APPLICATION + SELECTION
Considered openly.
Considered openly.
Selected carefully.
Tell us what you want to make
Eligible ALERA users submit a project outline, intended use of funds, timeline and the reason the work matters now.
Every eligible application is considered
Applications are assessed on creative intent, feasibility, potential impact and alignment with the program—not follower count.
A cohort receives direct funding
Selected artists agree on simple milestones for the project. There is no recoupment and no transfer of rights.
The artist leads the work
Funding is released and the artist retains full creative direction. Labs documents what the wider community can learn.
MEDICI / REGISTER INTEREST
Make the work
Make the work
only you can make.
Applications are not currently open. ALERA users can register interest to receive program criteria, dates and application details when the next Medici round is announced.
Register interest → For research partnerships: contact@alera.fm