In line with our commitment to Equity, Diversity and Inclusion we are proud to adapt our processes and programmes to ensure that our artist development programmes, commissions and funds are accessible to as many people as possible. We use the Social Model of Disability to inform our work and approaches, and we are dedicated to making reasonable adjustments to remove barriers to participation for people of all backgrounds, in accordance with the Equality Act 2010 and in line with our Fair Access Principles.
The more notice you can give us about access support, the easier it is for us to arrange it. Where we seek external contractors, for example access support workers or BSL interpreters, we may set a deadline in order to ensure we can book the required professionals and that they have capacity.
Please see each programme page in order to find out who to contact in relation to inquiring about or arranging access support.
Applying to our programmes
We understand that the application process can present different challenges for different people. We also know there is no one application method that works for all, and what is accessible to one may not be accessible to someone else.
To ensure that everyone has an equal opportunity to apply, we offer a range of application methods and support options.
Application Methods
Our applications are on Airtable by default, which works well enough for most applicants to our programmes and schemes. In addition, we have previously offered the following application methods:
- Video or audio applications (submitted on our online application form or via email)
- Word document form (to be filled and returned to us by post or email)
- Email submission (writing your responses in an email)
- Live application sessions (meeting with one of our team over the phone or Zoom who will write down your answers to the application questions)
Application Materials
We want to make sure all the information available for our programmes and open calls is accessible. All the information is available online on our website, and in addition we have previously offered application information and guidance documents in the following formats:
- Screen-reader compatible PDFs
- Large print format
- Dyslexia-friendly format
- Easy-read format
Interviews
To ensure a comfortable and accessible interview process, we can provide:
- Interview questions in advance to any applicant who requests them
- Real-time automated captions for all online meetings, and live captioners for in-person meetings and interviews or other information-sensitive scenarios
- A British Sign Language interpreter for interviews
- Additional time for interviews
General adjustments
All our meetings, group or one-on-one, are relaxed and we pace them according to the energy levels and abilities of the artists we work with . In addition, we can offer:
- An extension for application deadlines if you have requested access support for applying to our programmes
- An agreed contribution to financial support so you can arrange your preferred access support when applying; or
- A session with an access support worker paid for by us, to support you with your application and/or interview
Programme participation
We strive to make our programmes as inclusive as possible. Successful applicants on In Motion and the Seed Award will meet with their assigned Creative Programme Leader to develop a bespoke accessibility plan. We strive to accommodate any reasonable adjustments needed throughout the programme.
We understand that access needs may change over time, and we make sure to check in with artists on our programmes on a regular basis to ensure we have an accurate picture of what we can do to best accommodate the people we work with.
Our offices are wheelchair-accessible with wheelchair-accessible toilets, and we can arrange meetings in-person or online depending on your preference and access needs.
In addition to the above, for artists on In Motion and Seed Award:
- We cover travel and accommodation costs for care workers where applicable
- We ensure all the venues we use are accessible to all participants
- We provide information as much in advance as possible, to help you prepare and understand what support you might need for upcoming activities
- We regularly check in to ensure we can adapt to changing access needs
Contact us
If you have any questions around access support or would like to let us know of access needs as part of the application process, please get in touch to let us know how we can help by contacting Grace Bailey: Grace.Bailey@SoundandMusic.org.
See also
In Motion is our annual artist development programme for anyone aged 18 and over working with music and sound in the UK. It is artist-led and celebrates the curious and intrepid.
The Essentials Fund is a small grant of between £250-£500 to support your work through paying for self-learning projects, equipment, mentoring, and other direct costs for a project or to support your artistic development in other ways.
Our Fair Access Principles are designed to act as a code of best practice for running successful, open and inclusive artist development programmes, competitions and awards for composers.
Programme Structure
In Motion starts in May 2025 and lasts 18 months until November 2026. It is structured into two main phases: the Discovery Phase and the Activity Phase.
Discovery Phase (6 months)
You will be assigned a Creative Programme Leader who will support you throughout the programme. In Discovery Phase, you will focus on clarifying your goals, you will develop your creative ideas, and you will develop a realistic project plan and budget. You will:
- Receive part of your artist bursary
- Access up to 10% of the production budget to start developing or researching your ideas
- Attend induction and networking days with other In Motion composers
- Begin coaching sessions with an RD1st accredited coach
- Receive access to skills resources tailored to your needs
Activity Phase (12 months)
Once you have a clear action plan and budget for the creative project you want to develop and activity you want to undertake, you will move into Activity Phase. You will work to deliver your plan with the support of your Creative Programme Leader. During this phase, you will:
- Receive the remainder of your artist bursary
- Access the remaining production grant
- Continue coaching sessions and arrange mentoring
- Decide who you want to reach with your work, how, and why
- Develop and present your creative project
- Take part in our evaluation
Education component
During the programme, we will invite you to interact and work with composers on our on In the Making programme for composers aged 14-18. We will support you to develop any skills you need to work with young people depending on what activity is a good fit for your creative practice. No prior experience is needed. For example, you might:
- Run a workshop, presentation, or listening party at our annual In the Making residential
- Host an online workshop or group session for young composers
- Create a composition task or prompt for young composers to respond to and feedback on their work
- Develop a Minute of Listening collection
- Deliver workshops or activities with young people in your local community
Depending on the nature and scale of the activity, we will be able to compensate you further on a case-by-case basis, and we will arrange and pay for an Enhanced DBS check where appropriate. Any work with young people will be delivered in line with our Child Protection Policy.