As part of the Mahler is Music! 2 project, we developed educational programmes for schools, music workshops, Saturday creative and experiential workshops, a sound laboratory, and a May showcase presenting all project activities. The project connected artists and educators, creating opportunities to exchange experience and good practice.
In 2024, a total of 49 programmes were delivered for 1,212 participants at the Gustav Mahler House and at various locations in the centre of Jihlava. Several activities also took place elsewhere in the Vysočina Region, including Puklice and Přibyslav.
The creative learning programmes were open to school groups as well as individual visitors, primarily children accompanied by adults. A total of eight professionals (educators and methodology specialists) participated in the project, delivering programmes for children and young people while also mentoring fellow educators in creative learning methods. In addition, six teachers, educators and cultural professionals further developed their skills in creative learning through the project.
The team of educators continued to test and refine three educational programmes for kindergartens and primary schools at the Gustav Mahler House:
The programmes combine contemporary music technologies with traditional and modern creative approaches. The educators continuously shared their experience to ensure that each programme could be delivered by any member of the team. As part of the project, eight music workshops of various formats were also held directly at primary schools across the Vysočina Region.
The Open Studio Malér, a creative space equipped with professional technology and led by experienced tutors introducing participants to basic technological and creative processes, was opened to young visitors at the Gustav Mahler House on two occasions.
The project also continued its regular studio sessions for committed participants, with a total of 18 meetings. One of the project's outcomes was the creation of a sound trail, linking the Gustav Mahler House with Gustav Mahler Park through five online audio stations.
For individual visitors, especially families with children, five Saturday experiential and creative workshops explored Gustav Mahler's legacy, music, musicality, and sound art through unique creative approaches. Two additional workshops complemented other events organized by Brána Jihlavy.
The showcase of creative learning through music and sound art represented the project's principal outcome. A key activity was a collaborative project with the Gustav Mahler Philharmonic, involving 150 pupils and teachers from primary schools in Jihlava.
The project also included Music Playground 2024 in Gustav Mahler Park, presenting the results of cooperation with the Jihlava Elementary School of Arts (ZUŠ). The event featured eight simultaneous creative workshops led by local and guest artists, the sound trail, and a theatre performance for the youngest visitors. The event was organized by the production team of Brána Jihlavy and was scheduled and promoted in conjunction with the opening of the Mahler Jihlava – Music of Thousands Festival.
The Mahler is Music! 2 project was created by violinist and performer Matěj Kolář, guitarist and music producer Ondřej Vítů (Mango Sheikh), multimedia artist Petr Bradáček, and arts and cultural educator Hana Dočkalová.
The Mahler is Music! 2 project was implemented by Brána Jihlavy during the 2023/2024 school year with financial support from the European Union.
