Background to the project

I have been an active composer in the Australian music industry for 3 decades. Back in the late 80s no one spoke about gender equity in music, and female and non-binary composers simply had to put up with systemic sexual harrassment, gender bias and blocks to career progression. Participation rates and gender pay gaps were skewed. Today, while overt sexual harrassment is no longer tolerated, with regard to women's overall workplace participation and career progression in music across all genres, little has changed in 30 years. In Australia, where, by international standards, female representation is considered relatively healthy, women are significantly underrepresented in music: we make up just 22.4% of APRA writer members; 26.4% of composers represented by the Australian Music Centre, 13% of screen music composers, and just 2% of music producer/engineers.

I found myself no longer able to stand by without acting on this, and since 2016 I have been advocating for greater gender equity in music. I set up the Gender Equity Committee for the Australian Guild of Screen Composers and, with my colleagues, have established new mentorships for women and non-binary composers, showcases of women's music, and chaired industry round tables and information sessions to develop a productive and evolving conversation about gender equity in music in this country.

As a result of the focus I have brought to this issue at the national level, in November 2018 I was invited to speak at a series of international music industry talks held in Mexico City by the International Council Of Music Creators (CIAM). CIAM is based in Paris and represents over 500,000 professional music creators on five continents. Following a successful contribution, I was invited to serve on the CIAM Gender Equity & Diversity Working Group in an ongoing volunteer role in 2019- an incredible opportunity to make a difference!

In this capacity I have now been invited to lead talks on gender equity and diversity in music in Tokyo and Budapest in 2019. But I need your help to get there!

Current project

In Tokyo I will participate in 3 panels, speaking to over 250 of the world's leading arts administrators from 5 continents. The panels are hosted by 3 international arts organisations that together offer a matrix for music industry leadership: CIAM, APMA (CIAM's Asia-Pacific partner), and the International Confederation of Societies of Authors and Composers (CISAC), the world's leading network of authors' societies, which represents more than 4 million creators from over 122 countries across all geographic areas and all artistic repertoires; music, audiovisual, drama, literature and visual arts. In Budapest, I will again lead talks on gender equity and diversity at the CIAM Annual General Assembly to take the solutions and initatives implemented in 2019 forward into 2020, assuring gender equity and diversity remain firmly on the agenda for future music industry policy at the global level.

The challenges (significance) 

The Board (Executive Committee) of CIAM has 8 members, only 1 of whom is female. The Board of APMA (the Asian Pacific Alliance) has no women at all, so adding my voice to the Tokyo talks for our regional alliance is imperative. Overall, of the 35 individuals who hold executive positions across all the regional CIAM partnership alliances only 2 identify as women, keeping female participation and visibility at 5.7%. This low participation rate for women and other genders at the executive level fails to adequately reflect the world in which we live, and must be urgently addressed. CIAM understands this is problematic and by appointing me as their key consultant and advocate on gender equity in music is now paving the way for greater inclusion of women and non-binary artists in music.

How the Funds Will be Used

So that I can rise to this huge honour and responsibility (!) I'm seeking your support to cover the outstanding costs of my 2019 travel:

Initial target: $1,100 

Will cover my accommodation in Tokyo CBD for 4 nights.

Stretch target #1: $1,850

Will cover my return flights Sydney-Budapest.

Stretch target #2: $1,500

Will cover my accommodation in Budapest CBD for 5 nights.

While I am focusing initally on covering the outstanding Tokyo costs, any amount above the inital target of $1,100 will go directly towards getting me to Budapest in November so that I am able to continue this important work for greater inclusivity, diversity and social justice.

Thank you for your support!