In July 2020, Music Masters launched the trial version of I’M IN: The Inclusive Music Index, a diversity and inclusion tool for the arts sector.
70 organisations signed up for the trial, including the National Youth Orchestra and Choirs of Great Britain, London Symphony Orchestra, Ty Cyrdd and Royal Northern College of Music, and we are currently tweaking the tool following the feedback from these organisations.
We now introduce I’M IN Spotlight, where we’ll be featuring interviews with different organisation that took part in the tool. This month, we speak to Jennifer Raven, Deputy Director of Sound Connections.
Hi Jennifer! Tell us about Sound Connections.
Sound Connections is a sector support organisation that exists to create change: we work across the music community to achieve inclusion, equity and social justice with young people. We focus on four strands of work: Youth Voice and Participation; Training and Professional Development; Advocacy; and Consultancy. Our work ensures that all children and young people age 0 to 25 regardless of background and circumstance can access music opportunities and progression routes. Although based in London we work across England, Wales and internationally.
Why did Sound Connections sign up to I’M IN?
We are leaders in inclusive practice and deliver a variety of equality, diversity and inclusion services in support of the music education sector, arts and heritage. We know that in order to do this work well we need to continually reflect, learn and grow ourselves – first and foremost we have to challenge ourselves to be completely inclusive inside out, and address structural injustice in everything we do. We saw I’M IN as an opportunity to do this with external, independent inspiration and input.
We also signed up because we believe that whilst it’s important to keep inclusion and diversity work connected and ‘joined up’, it needs multiple approaches – we always want to support other organisations exploring new methods and tools.
How would you describe your I’M IN experience?
We enjoyed working through a structured audit process that engaged the staff team and Board.
What changes have you seen at Sound Connections since taking part in I’M IN?
I’M IN is one of many tools and processes we use to ensure social justice, inclusion and diversity is integral and embedded within Sound Connections. As a result it’s difficult to say what changes I’M IN has prompted specifically. In totality through all the work we have done (which includes internal work on organisational culture and developments in our programmes), the changes over the past year have included diversification of our Board of Trustees, ongoing development of an anti-racist and anti-oppression organisational culture, and wider reach and impact of our workforce development programme that focuses on inclusive practice.
We are providing equality, diversity and inclusion consultancy for a number of partners and clients who have also been through the I’M IN process. It has been beneficial for us to understand first-hand the journey they have been on.
Why does the music industry need a tool like I’M IN?
Fundamentally because significant change is needed in order for music organisations to remain relevant to their audience – and for music education in particular to provide fit-for-purpose experiences for children and young people.
Over the past year, largely as a result of the Black Lives Matter movement, organisations are seemingly more open and ready to change and act. Tools like I’M IN provide important structure and guidance for people to do this meaningfully. Importantly, taking time to reflect deeply is a crucial step towards change – tools like I’M IN can be used to support people to do this.