Music has the transformative ability to shape lives, communities, culture and indeed our national identity and social fabric. But to do so new music in the UK must be representative of all of the UK.
We recognise the structural barriers obstructing so many from realising their creative potential and shaping our culture. As such removing these barriers and championing inclusion underpins all we do.
Our Fair Access Principles are a sector leading code of best practice for inclusive and equitable artist development and shape all of our programmes, commissions and awards.
We are proud to see the principles drive change across the sector with over 35 organisations signed up to date and our annual Fair Access Assembly serving as a valued network for progressive organisations to connect, share, learn and commit to collective action together.
Our Fair Access Partners confirm the principles are instrumental in opening up progressive conversations within their organisations and commitments to equity and inclusion. As a sector they help us identify where we can have impact, and how we can work together and take further steps to remove barriers for a more inclusive and equitable music landscape.
Read the Fair Access Principles
You can also download the plain text version here
“Sound and Music gave me opportunities I did not have anywhere else. Their Fair Access Principles bring equity to opportunities and are essential to developing artists and new sounds from sections of the population and parts of the UK that don’t have as much voice in our nation’s culture.”
— Supriya Nagarajan, Composer
Why do we need the Fair Access Principles?
Since publicly committing to diversifying the range of music creators we work with, we have made significant strides. The launch of the Fair Access Principles in 2020 has been a catalyst for change, for us and for all the partner organisations. Their implementation across all our programmes has already resulted in a substantial increase in the diversity of applicants at every stage: application, shortlisting, and selection.
While this progress is encouraging, we know there is still more to do. Many music creators continue to face barriers due to their background, demographics, socioeconomic background or access needs. These inequities mean that talent often goes unrecognised and unsupported, limiting the breadth and richness of voices shaping the future of music, and perpetuating historical systems of oppression and exclusion.
Continually learning and iterating
At Sound and Music, we are committed to sustaining and building on this momentum of change. We are proud to have embedded all of the Fair Access Principles into our programmes and we know that improvement is an ongoing process that requires constant learning and reflection. We continue to evaluate and refine our work, sharing our learning and progress transparently.
Taking collective action
We also recognise that creating meaningful systemic change requires collective action. We invite organisations to join the Fair Access Principles network and commit to timelines for implementation. Together, we can foster a more inclusive and equitable sector.
We actively promote organisations and opportunities aligned with these principles and facilitate a national network for sharing knowledge and mutual support. We have an ambitious vision for growing the Fair Access Principles and want to build on our work so far with our partners and reach even more people.
Beyond Music
We know these principles have relevance beyond music and they can serve as a framework for promoting fair access in other art forms and areas of creative practice, including work with children and young people.
We look forward to fostering conversations with the wider sector and developing and adapting these principles to more contexts.
How do I sign up?
If you work for an organisation in the arts and culture sector, in the UK or internationally, and are interested in signing up to the Fair Access Principles, please email Laonikos, Head of Programmes, and start a conversation with us: Laonikos.PC@SoundandMusic.org
In order to sign up to the Fair Access Principles, you need to carefully review the Principles and agree to implement them across any open calls for competitions, awards, funds, or artist development programmes over the next 24 months.
As a Fair Access Principles partner, you will join our network of organisations and be invited to our annual Fair Access Assembly, where partners share best practice, collectively reflect and move the conversation forward. You will take part in limited and anonymised data sharing which helps us measure our collective impact and identify areas of improvement across the network. We also offer 1:1 support to help you identify ways of implementing the Fair Access Principles.
If you are interested in finding out more, sign up to one of our upcoming Information Sessions.
Sign up to our upcoming Fair Access Principles information sessions:
- Register for: Tuesday 10 June, 2-3pm
- Register for: Wednesday 2 July 2-3pm
- Register for: Thursday 17 July, 12-1pm
These sessions are hosted by Laonikos Psimikakis Chalkokondylis, Head of Programmes, and are open to anyone who is interested in hearing more about the Fair Access Principles and how to sign up.
Laonikos will share some background and information about the Fair Access Principles, explain the process of signing up, and will be available to discuss any specific questions relating to your organisation around the Fair Access Principles.
We're always looking for more partners to join us in committing to these principles.
Find out more about how to get involved by emailing our Head of Programmes, Laonikos Psimikakis Chalkokondylis, at: Laonikos.PC@SoundandMusic.org
“The Fair Access Principles are a call to action for the music and arts sector. They represent our shared commitment to creating open, inclusive, and equitable opportunities for composers of all backgrounds.
With our Fair Access Partners, we can collectively ensure that talent and creativity are recognised and supported, regardless of circumstance and previous access to opportunity, and that we actively work to address institutional and systemic barriers.
The Fair Access Principles are not just guidelines—they are a promise to current and future generations of composers that their voices matter, and they will be heard.”
— Laonikos Psimikakis Chalkokondylis, Head of Programmes
Fair Access Principles Partners
British Double Reed Society
"We are thrilled to have signed up to the Fair Access Principles. Embracing inclusivity and ensuring accessibility hold significant importance..."
Read British Double Reed Society's full statement and commitments
Britten Pears Arts
“This is an important step towards more open and inclusive artist development programmes, and...”
"Britten Sinfonia is pleased to sign up to the Sound and Music Fair Access Principles for our talent development opportunities including Magnum Opus and Opus 1..."
CoMA
"For 28 years, CoMA has been committed to encouraging musicians of all backgrounds and abilities to..."
Come Play With Me
"As a label, we pride ourselves on supporting & developing new talent. Since 2015, Come Play With Me has..."
Cryptic
"As an arts organisation, Cryptic believe that inclusion, diversity, equality, accessibility (IDEA) and..."
Drake Music Scotland
"At Drake Music Scotland we are firmly behind the idea of a more diverse range of composers having equality of..."
English Folk Dance & Song Society
"Inclusion and access are central to the English Folk Dance and Song Society’s aims and objectives. We..."
English Touring Opera
"At English Touring Opera we champion diversity and inclusion throughout the organisation, and we are working hard to..."
Ensemble Matters
"We enjoy working with different creators and we believe a diversity of voices keeps us fresh. Over the years..."
The Glasshouse International Centre for Music
"Inclusion is at the heart of our work at The Glasshouse, so we are delighted to be one of the first organisations..."
Jazz North
"Jazz North is committed to promoting diversity and inclusion across all that we do. We believe..."
Jerwood Arts
"Jerwood Arts is delighted to endorse Sound and Music’s Fair Access Principles and work with partners across..."
Launchpad
"We are passionate about providing an open and inclusive artist and project development programme. By..."
Ligeti Quartet
"We have benefited from many publicly offered schemes and residencies in the past - these are sometimes the only way to...”
Live Music Now
"We value diversity and inclusion very highly at Live Music Now. For this to be realised..."
Liverpool Philharmonic
"Royal Liverpool Philharmonic’s mission is to enhance and transform lives through music, but we can..."
Read Liverpool Philharmonic's full statement and commitments
London Chamber Orchestra
"We are proud to join the Fair Access Principles because inclusivity is part of..."
Read London Chamber Orchestra's full statement and commitments
London Sinfonietta
"At the London Sinfonietta, we have been committed to making new music for over 50 years..."
London Symphony Orchestra
"The London Symphony Orchestra has a profound commitment to diversity and inclusion, including...”
Manasamitra
"Manasamitra is a small arts charity located in the heart of West Yorkshire. We are able to see..."
Manchester Collective
"Manchester Collective is passionate about creating opportunities for artists from different backgrounds and...”
Music Hackspace
"The Music Hackspace's mission is to empower everyone to be creative with music technology. We champion a...”
Music Theatre Wales
"Our ambition at Music Theatre Wales is to be a force for change: to challenge opera’s tendency to cling to the past by..."
New Music Scotland
"At New Music Scotland we are committed to working in a diverse and open society. Committing to the..."
Nonclassical
"Supporting emerging artists is at the heart of Nonclassical’s work across our events, record label and..."
Orchestras Live
"Orchestras Live wants to include everyone in our work, listening to perspectives drawn from people’s diverse..."
Open Up Music
"Diversity, equity and inclusion are at the heart of who we are and what we do. We recognise that systems of privilege..."
Opera North
"Opera North supports the Fair Access Principles because accessibility and reaching artists from the broadest range of..."
PRS Foundation
“PRS Foundation believes that the success of the projects we fund is driven by the diversity of..."
Philharmonia
"Philharmonia Orchestra supports Sound and Music’s Fair Access Principles as part of our ongoing..."
Royal Philharmonic Society
"The creative industries fundamentally thrive on a diverse and dynamic range of voices. At the Royal Philharmonic..."
Read the Royal Philharmonic Society's full statement and commitments
Sound Festival
"At Sound, we believe that the increasing diverse society we live in should be reflected as much as possible in the..."
Tŷ Cerdd
"Tŷ Cerdd is proud to be a launch partner in the Fair Access Principles. As we endeavour to reach out across Wales..."
Unlimited
"Unlimited is committed to fair access throughout the arts, and are proud to support Sound and Music’s Fair Access...”