The Stage

Ethnic minority music conference

Published Monday 15 November 2004 at 10:35 by Liz Thomas

Musicians from ethnic minorities who are struggling to find work and access information about the industry will be able to receive help and advice at a special conference this month.

The conference follows two years of research by Sound Sense, the UK development agency for community music, which found that Asian, black and Chinese community musicians - defined as those working with local people and using their skills to encourage wider participation in the arts and music - found it difficult to access the networks on which their careers and work depends.

Sound Sense concluded from research that it was necessary to give musicians from ethnic minorities a place to discuss their own issues as well as help to tackle cultural and structural barriers that often leave these groups confused or blocked out because they are not familiar with the language, customs or behaviour used by the formal arts sector.

Kentake Chinyelu-Hope, the organisation’s head of diversity, said: “There are continuing and multiple barriers for these musicians becoming part of the network, including cultural differences and the level of support available. It is a vicious spiral. Black people feel excluded from meetings, so they aren’t party to the latest information and don’t get invited to the meetings.”

The conference, Looking Both Ways, aims to tackle problems of under-representation by providing practical help in sessions led by the Black Arts Alliance, which will give advice on securing funding, space for debate and clarification of industry discourse and definitions.

Arts Council England will also be unveiling their new race equality strategy at the event, to be held on Thursday, November 25 at the Zion Centre, Manchester. Booking information is available from 01449 673990 or at www.soundsense.org.