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
Applications to our programmes are online forms, usually on Airtable, which allows us to assess a large number of applications with our resources. There is no one solution that fits all, and to ensure everyone can apply to our opportunities we offer additional or alternative application methods and formats. In the past, we have accepted
- Video or audio applications (submitted on our online application form or via email)
- Word document forms (to be filled and returned to us by post or email)
- Email submissions (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
All the information is available online on our website which uses contrasting colours and accessible fonts.In addition, for key information relating to applications, we have previously produced:
- Screen-reader compatible PDFs
- Large print documents
- Dyslexia-friendly documents
- Easy-read documents
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, both group and one-to-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 agree a bespoke accessibility plan with their assigned Creative Programme Leader . 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.