News Updates
Collectively Supporting Change: Addressing Gender Inequity in Audio Production in Manitoba
Posted on May 3, 2023
Globally, women and gender diverse people encounter multiple barriers in the recording and audio production sectors. Fix The Mix and the USC Annenberg Inclusion Initiative recently shared data reflecting these challenges, challenges that are also found in Manitoba.
Today, the GEAR UP: Gender Equity in Audio Recording and Music Production taskforce releases Collectively Supporting Change: Addressing Gender Inequity in Audio Production in Manitoba, a new report that provides a snapshot of the local recording industry and suggestions for how to ensure safer, more respectful working environments, and increased participation of women and gender diverse producers and engineers in the industry.
“Societal gender oppression, combined with the lack of representation within audio recording, creates vulnerabilities and disadvantages for women and gender diverse people in the sector.”
- Collectively Supporting Change: Addressing Gender Inequity in Audio Production in Manitoba, April 2023
The taskforce was formed in early 2022 to address the need for real and long-lasting change for women and gender diverse people working in audio recording and music production in Manitoba. The taskforce has looked at reducing systemic barriers, increasing professional development, establishing safer working conditions, and working towards a more equitable local music industry. Critical to this work is that women and gender diverse people participate equitably in the audio recording and music production sector in Manitoba by increasing gender diversity in the sector and raising the number, wages, profile, and recognition of women and gender diverse participants.
The taskforce members have endeavoured to share their lived experience, gather additional information, make recommendations, and track progress on issues of gender equity in audio recording and music production in Manitoba. Members include Ashley Bieniarz, Hill Kourkoutis, Lana Winterhalt, Monica Gadsby, Rayannah Kroeker, Sierra Noble, and Vanessa Peters.
The taskforce worked with J.Hogue & Associates to create the report, sponsored by Manitoba Music and Manitoba Film & Music, which have provided financial and administrative support. Both sponsors are committed to accepting the recommendations of the taskforce, sharing them with the community, and doing their best to incorporate them into their own policies and programming.
“Manitoba Film & Music launched the taskforce with Manitoba Music because we saw a need for more equitable representation in Manitoba’s local audio recording and music production sector. We anticipated receiving a snapshot of where the industry stands today regarding gender equity and inclusivity as well as recommendations for change. This taskforce provided that and more, and we are excited to see these actions put into place. Our heartfelt thank you to all taskforce participants,” says Rod Bruinooge, CEO & Film Commissioner (Interim) at Manitoba Film & Music.
“We are deeply grateful to the taskforce members for their thoughtful and generous work, for sharing their lived experiences and working together towards a stronger, safer recording sector,” says Sean McManus, executive director of Manitoba Music. “Building on the meaningful work already happening in the community, this report provides insights and recommendations that all participants in the sector can use to make positive next steps.”
The report is available to read and download in PDF. Plain text version and French translation are available upon request from info@manitobamusic.com.
