Music VIC to establish women’s music industry advisory panel

Music Victoria is establishing a Women’s Music Industry Advisory Panel in the wake of its new report, which highlighted issues faced by women in the state’s music industry.

According to The Women in the Victorian Contemporary Music Industry report, these include pay inequality, discrimination against mothers, a confidence gap between men and women and sexual harassment at live music venues. In many instances, these were higher than the Australian average.

The planned advisory panel will consist of musicians, venue bookers, academics, youth workers, curators, managers, bureaucrats and lawyers representing wide musical and social backgrounds.

Its role is to advise Music Victoria and the wider industry on developing specific initiatives (as mentoring and networking) to support women and diversity in the industry. It will identify issues, publish findings and recommendations and “act as a standing and authoritative advisory forum for Music Victoria, the music sector and the wider community on women's issues in the sector.”

Patrick Donovan, CEO of Music Victoria, observed, "Diversity within the music industry benefits everyone. There's been too many barriers for women to enter and thrive in the music industry. We look forward to getting together with some of the best minds to develop some tangible solutions to reduce hurdles and increase opportunities."

As part of its report, Music Victoria makes a commitment to increase the representation of women on all its programs including panels, events and board positions. The association is among those involved in the new Sexual Harassment and Assault in Licensed Venues Policy Taskforce set up by the Victorian Government this winter.

The Women in the Victorian Contemporary Music Industry study was conducted in April with 329 women in the industry. 84% were from metropolitan Melbourne and 45% aged between 26 and 35. Musicians made up 45% of the survey, with 27% in administration, 25% in music management, 25% in publicity and 24% describing themselves as songwriters. 26% had been in the industry for between six to ten years, and 27% worked full time. 20% were self-employed.

Among the findings were:

* The pay gap between women and men rose from 14.9% in May 2014 to 19.5% in May 2015 in the arts and recreation services industry. The average national pay gap is 17.92%.

* 60% of respondents earned under $40,000 per annum, while the rest were under the $20,000 pa mark. The national minimum wage is $34,112.

* There is a lack of paid work but a lot of volunteer and intern roles. 42% of respondents began as volunteers in jobs in the music industry but found it difficult to translate that to full time work. Only 27% in the study worked full time in the biz, and 1% permanently employed.

* Almost half of all mothers working in the Victorian music industry report some form of workplace discrimination. Of these, a third resign and look for another job or drop out of the workforce altogether.

* The report also acknowledged research by La Trobe University that 96.6% interviewed thought unwanted sexual attention occurred in licensed venues and 80.2% thought it common. This was not only to patrons but performers and venue workers.

Music Victoria revealed, “The survey results identified five interconnected factors that contribute to the pay gap experienced by women in the music industry: lack of paid work opportunities; casualisation of the workforce; gendered nature of caring responsibilities; access to opportunities; and the confidence gap.

“The overrepresentation of men in decision making roles in the music industry means it can be difficult for women to develop the relationships they need to ‘get a foot in the door’ and ‘take the next step’ to establish and build their careers.

“Numerous survey respondents felt overlooked for opportunities because of the perception that they could not perform on stage or in a particular role as well as a male. The survey results provide plenty of examples of the ‘just a girl’ and ‘boys club’ mentality of many men (and some women).”

The advisory panel is just one of Music Victoria’s planned initiatives to combat gender inequality. It will lead or partner with other organisations to deliver support, and work at increasing female representation in its panels, board and award nominees. It will also push for greater networking opportunities in its development seminars and workshops.

The setting up of networking opportunities, which occurs in other sectors, is regarded as all-important for careers. 90% of respondents already do so in an informal manner, and 60% indicated that networking with senior or more experienced industry figures would be useful.

Of other career aids, 53% suggested placement/internship opportunities while 55% considered a register of jobs, speaking, board opportunities and industry champions for gender equality would be “very useful.”

Image: The the20 Questions panelatBigsound 2015
Photo Credit: Justin Ma