WOMEN IN MUSIC INDEX
Women in Music Index
- Overview of world wide initiatives for and from women in music -
The term diversity describes differences in racial or ethnic classifications, age, gender, religion, philosophy, physical abilities, socioeconomic background, sexual orientation, gender identity, intelligence, mental health, physical health, genetic attributes, behavior, attractiveness, or other identifying features. Diversity and inclusivity - specifically in terms of gender diversity in the music business - have become buzzwords in recent times, but the overwhelming majority of the world's spokespeople and decision makers are still male - that’s a fact. Many seem to have forgotten that the culture we cherish and celebrate was originally created by marginalized groups as a form of self-expression, tolerance and acceptance.
Through its worldwide network the Music Cities Network started an index of research, studies, panels, networks, conferences, events, policies, festivals, mentoring, funding programs, and collectives with a female focus in the creative and music industries. The aim is to broaden the visibility of female focus music networks, to get inspired and connect the dots which haven’t been done so before - for new ideas and future connections. This index is by no means exhaustive. The entries will be updated and expanded regularly. You can filter by column and search after keywords.
If you have a network which is not on the list yet: get in touch with us!
| Name | Focus | Country | City | Since | Keyword | Mission |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| City grants Sydney | reg | AUS | Sydney | 2017 | Policy | City of Sydney grants – the new introduced grants have a particular stream for funding health & safety projects. This has largely come out of a broader national conversation about the need to address sexual harassment and abuse issues in venues. |
| Music Victoria - Women's Advisory Board |
reg | AUS | Melbourne | 2015 | Panel | Music Victoria is establishing a Women’s Music Industry Advisory Panel to address barriers and leverage opportunities for women in the Victorian contemporary music industry and community. |
| Women in the Victorian Contemporary Music Industry |
reg | AUS | Melbourne | 2015 | Report | This discussion paper considers the issues confronting women in the contemporary music industry in Victoria. It is based on a survey conducted by Music Victoria and focuses on workplace gender equality and career development. |
| Listen | nat | AUS | Melbourne | Network, Conference, Events |
LISTEN exists to initiate and foster change, using a feminist perspective to promote the visibility and experiences of women, LGBT, trans and gender diverse, people of colour, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities/people/mob, people with disabilities and other marginalised folk in Australian music. |
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| One of One | nat | AUS | Network | We shine the spotlight on women in the Australian music industry; artists, managers, label heads, bookers, publicists, radio personalities, tour managers et al. |
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| APRA AMCOS | nat | AUS | 2017 | Research, Study | APRA AMCOS shines light on sexist music industry with research, makes moves to change it |
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| Skipping a beat | nat | AUS | 2017 | Study | New Research Shows “Chronic Gender Inequality” in the Australian Music Industry ‘Skipping a beat’ is designed to advance public debate on how to build an Australian contemporary music industry based on the principles of inclusivity, representation and belonging,” the report reads. The report is available in full over here. |
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| Woman Victoria | nat | AUS | Policy, Gender Equality, Strategy |
Improving the lives of women and achieving gender equality. | ||
| Women in Music Canada |
nat | CAN | Network | Women in Music Canada (WIM-C) is a registered non-profit organization comprised of a supportive network of music industry professionals. The organization is dedicated to fostering gender equality in the music industry through the support and advancement of women. The goal is to strengthen the social-economic balance of the music industry by providing professional and creative development, support and resources for women. |
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| Helvetia Rockt | nat | CH | Bern | 2009 | Network | We are committed to a significant increase in the proportion of women, in particular female instrumentalists, in jazz, pop and rock and for a stronger presence of the musicians on the stage, in the media and in the public. |
| Female:Pressure | int | GER | Network | female pressure is an international network of female, transgender and non-binary artists in the fields of electronic music and digital arts founded by Electric Indigo: from musicians, composers and DJs to visual artists, cultural workers and researchers. A worldwide resource of talent that can be searched after criteria like location, profession, style or name. "Why are there so few women active in the electronic music scene?" - each one of us has heard this question a thousand times... Here is the answer: It's not our number, it's about how and if we are recognized! |
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| Frauen Kultur Büro Köln |
reg | GER | Cologne | 2014 | Network, Funding Programmes, Policy |
The women's culture office NRW e.V. located in Krefeld, as a country office offers North Rhine-Westphalian artists of all sectors a forum, networks and develops structural measures. Funding programs such as 'Der Künstlerinnenpreis NRW', the scholarships, presence on location: artists with children' or the 'International Exchange for Visual Artists with Georgia and Armenia' are gaining wide acceptance in the scene. The projects, in which countless artists are involved, vary greatly in their formal orientation: hearings, symposiums, salons, art and cultural fairs, art exhibitions, catalogs, readings, studio visits, artist talks, concerts, film presentations, etc. The content of the project work is supported by an Advisory Council convened in 2014. |
| MINT | nat | GER | Berlin | 2015 | Network, Workshops |
Mint is a platform for women - DJs and producers - in electronic music, which aims to improve the visibility of female DJs and acts. Since 2013 we have been creating measures to connect, train and present female artists. In addition to the Mint Club Night, which takes place monthly in Berlin, we also organize workshops around the production and installation of house and techno as part of the Campus series. |
| Music Industry Women (VUT) |
nat | GER | Berlin | Network, Mentoring |
The network's goal is to help more women shape the music industry in the long term - including in leadership positions and as founders - and to make women more visible. Because the music industry must be more colorful and this is a first step to it. That's why we want to invite you to become part of the network. |
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| MusicHHWomen | reg | GER | Hamburg | 2017 | Network | Nearly 50 music women founded their own representation of interests on 18.06.2017 on the Reeperbahn/ kukuun in Hamburg. The name musicHHwomen - art.business.media. is the focus, because the network wants to be a platform for music women from all 3 areas. Whether musician (art), bookerin (business) or music journalist (media), the new network will offer qualification, exchange, databases, participation, empowerment, protection and presence to all. The network was initiated by RockCity Hamburg e.V. |
| We Make Waves | int | GER | Berlin | 2017 | Festival, Network |
Introducing We Make Waves, a new Berlin-based festival and conference made for women, trans and non-binary people poised to disrupt the music industry. This November, we will bring together a group of renegade performers, artists, and activists from Berlin and beyond in order to share transformational ideas, experiences, and motivation for future projects and collaborations. |
| She Said | int | UK | London | 2015 | Network | shesaid.so is a curated network of women with active roles in the music industry. Our vision is to create an environment that supports collaboration, creativity and positive values. |
| UK Music Diversity Taskforce |
int | UK | London | 2016 | Research, Study |
This inaugural diversity survey took data from almost 3,000 staff from major and independent record labels, music publishers, managers, producers, royalty-collection societies and the live music industry. To coincide with the survey’s launch in July, UK Music hosted a diversity summit at PPL’s offices in London with key figures from the industry to discuss issues and challenges. |
| Women in Music | int | USA | New York | 1985 | Network, Events |
Women In Music is a non-profit organization with a mission to advance the awareness, equality, diversity, heritage, opportunities, and cultural aspects of women in the musical arts through education, support, empowerment, and recognition. Our seminars, panels, showcases, achievement awards, and youth initiatives celebrate the female contribution to the music world, and strengthen community ties. |
| Women’s International Music Network™ |
nat | USA | 2012 | Network, Events |
The mission of the Women’s International Music Network™ is to create a hub to connect women in all facets of the music industry. You are not alone! Founded in 2012 by Laura B. Whitmore, a veteran marketer of the musical instrument and audio industries, the Women’s International Music Network site (TheWiMN.com) hosts news, events, and a community forum for women from all walks of the industry. |
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| Keychange | eu | EU | 2017 | Funding Programme |
Keychange is a pioneering European initiative which empowers women to transform the future of the music industry. Through new international opportunities for emerging artists and innovators, 60 successful participants from across Europe will come together to form a network of female music creators and industry innovators. These participants will be invited to take part in a series of showcases, collaborations and a programme of creative labs at seven international festivals, backed up by an innovation fund to help test new projects and ideas. Keychange aims to accelerate change and create a better, more inclusive music industry for present and future generations. Keychange is led by PRS Foundation, supported by the Creative Europe programme of the European Union, in partnership with Musikcentrum Sweden, Reeperbahn Festival, Iceland Airwaves, BIME, Tallinn Music Week, Way Out West, The Great Escape and Mutek. |
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| MusicNSW – Women in Electronic Music |
nat | AUS | Sydney | 2016 | Showcase | MusicNSW and FBi Radio bring you a massive showcase of Women in Electronic Music on Saturday 17 June at Oxford Art Factory. Party late into the night with pioneering producers, beat-makers and DJs from Sydney and beyond, hosted by Sydney’s one and only FlexMami. |
| Woman Make Music | nat | UK | 2017 | Research, Study |
The creation of our Women Make Music funding opportunity followed a discussion panel we presented in May 2010 in collaboration with Birds Eye View – an organisation that celebrates and supports international women filmmakers. We wanted to draw attention to the gender gap between men and women music creators and to explore how we could better support women who are making new music. |
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| Woman only Music Festival |
nat | SWE | tba | 2018 | Festival | "Sweden’s first man-free rock festival is going ahead next year and frankly, it's about bloody time." |
| Cream Cake Collective |
nat | GER | Berlin | 2016 | Network, Collective |
Identity Understands as feminist and queer Interdisciplinary in the fields of music, performance, digital artIs internationally oriented, but anchored nationally and regionally in Berlin Is part of the digital avant-garde and its networks Aims Creates attention and visibility for up-and-coming musicians who express themselves through new technologies and media Develop new formats for events based on digital culture Encourages reflection in gender politics Provides views and discussions on issues of digital society |
| No Shade | nat | GER | Berlin | 2017 | Network, Collective |
No Shade is a club night series & DJ training program for female/non-binary DJs based in Berlin. |
| SISTER | int | 2015 | Network, Collective |
SISTER is a virtual collective of women and gender non-conforming electronic music enthusiasts and professionals across the globe, remedying inequality in our field since 2015.Our mix series celebrates the DJ talent of our members. |
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| Music HH Woman Database |
nat | GER | 2018 | Platform | The musicHHwomen Database is the nation's first database for music women from the fields of art. business. media. The goal is to increase the presence of music women, empowerment, networking and exchange of know-how, in order to visibly counter the prevailing gender gap in the industry. The starting signal is fired in Hamburg, the database is to continue to grow in all 16 federal states. Get involved and: spread the word! |
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| Jazz Camp for Girls |
nat | DK | 2017 | Education | JazzCamp for Girls is a music and improvisation course for girls between the ages of 10 and 15, taking place throughout Denmark in collaboration with national music schools and further institutions. See more in the video. |
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| LOUD'HER | nat | F | Lille | 2018 | Networks, Workshops, Events |
LOUD'HER is a french association for the presence and visibility of women in music. |
| Raketerei | nat | D | Hamburg | 2017 | Plattform, Network |
Founded by Imke Machura and first started as a podcast, which portrayed and interviewed women from the music industry. Then podcast series expanded to a community. RAKETEREI BACKSTAGE is a home for female musicians to support them to build musical careers and advance. RAKETEREI BACKSTAGE is the step up for female musicians into the music business. |
| Sound Girls | int | USA | Los Angeles | 2012 | Plattform, Network, Mentoring |
Sound Girls Mission Statement: To inspire and empower the next generation of women in audio. Our mission is to create a supportive community for women in audio and music production, providing the tools, knowledge, and support to further their careers. |
| Women in Live Music |
int | DK | Plattform, Network, Education |
Women in Live Music [WILM] is a European platform and online community for women working in live music. This includes women working all sorts of roles behind the scene: Sound Engineers, Tour Managers, Lighting Designers, Riggers, Backliners, Stage Managers, Stagehands and many more. |
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| Music Women Austria |
nat | AT | Vienna | 2016 | Plattform, Network, Education |
MUSIC WOMEN AUSTRIA is a platform for women working in the field of music. The main objectives are sharing information, best practice and networking events |