Today we are delighted to announce that the Philharmonia, Manasamitra, Manchester Collective, New Music Scotland, Music Hackspace and Ensemble Matters have joined as the latest partners in signing up to our Fair Access Principles. Developed through consultation with a broad range of composers and organisations, Sound and Music’s 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.
We’re actively looking for more partners to join us in committing to these principles. Find out more about how to get involved by emailing Co-Head of Artist Development, Will Dutta at will.dutta@soundandmusic.org
The Philharmonia said, “Philharmonia Orchestra supports Sound and Music’s Fair Access Principles as part of our ongoing commitment to diversify our work, create inclusive environments, and ensure equitable opportunities within our programme. We will employ the them across all our open calls for composers, artists, and creatives from the start of 2021 onwards. We look forward to working with Sound and Music and other colleagues in sector to ensure a more equitable and representative future.”
Manasamitra said, “Manasamitra is a small arts charity located in the heart of West Yorkshire. We are able to see first hand the impact of access on artists and their sustainable practice. The team and board believe passionately that we must do our utmost to create a level playing field for every opportunity we can offer . We are therefore fully committed to the Fair Access Principles set out by Sound and Music.”
Manchester Collective said, “Manchester Collective is passionate about creating opportunities for artists from different backgrounds and with different perspectives. As such, we’re proud to be signing up to Sound and Music’s set of Fair Access Principles – one small step on the long journey to a more just and equal music world.“
Music Hackspace said, “The Music Hackspace’s mission is to empower everyone to be creative with music technology. We champion a more equal, representative and inclusive space for everyone to create, engage and enjoy. The fair access principles provide a fantastic framework to support our efforts to give access to music technology to all.“
New Music Scotland said, “At New Music Scotland we are committed to working in a diverse and open society. Committing to the Fair Access Principles will aid us to continue developing our strategies, processes and resources to support all new music makers. In an ever changing landscape it is imperative we work as part of a community, alongside other organisations, to remove barriers to events, professional development programmes, awards, and sector opportunities.”
Ensemble Matters said, “We enjoy working with different creators and we believe a diversity of voices keeps us fresh. Over the years we have seen an increasing effort in the industry to make access fairer to creators. Naturally, when the Fair Access Principles came out, we thought it perfectly sums up what we have been aiming for. We look forward to working with Sound and Music to the best we can and are excited be part of this common effort in making a meaningful change.”
Meet all of our Fair Access Principles partners
Sound and Music’s 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. (The definition of “composer” varies between organisations; at Sound and Music we mean “anyone creating their own music, in any style or genre”).
Sound and Music has developed the Fair Access Principles through consultation with a broad range of composers and organisations, as well as from our experience of running open call programmes.
Composer and founder of Manasamitra, Supriya Nagarajan, said, “The Fair Access Principles that Sound and Music have put forward are long due… I hope more and more organisations look at it and take it up, because that will boost the music sector like nothing else.”
Read our Fair Access Principles
Learn more about our Fair Access Principles and partners
Contact us about getting involved