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Ottawa, Ontario (September 2, 2021)

The Canadian Live Music Association (CLMA) and its partners have launched a national research study entitled, Closing the Gap: Impact and Representation of Indigenous, Black, and People of Colour (IBPOC) Live Music Workers in Canada.

The study is designed to quantify the impact and representation of the live music community in Canada, and examine the challenges and barriers that impede IBPOC participation within the industry. The study’s findings and recommendations will inform the development of an industry-wide action plan to implement more inclusive practices nationwide.

As part of the research project, an online survey has just been released in French and English. Anyone and everyone working in the live music community, in every region of Canada, is encouraged to participate. To thank you for your participation, we will have a random draw for a $200 gift card every week the survey is open. To participate in the survey, please click here.

The qualitative element of the study also begins alongside the survey, including 40 key interviews with live music workers across Canada, spanning various live music roles (i.e., artists, festival directors, promoters, venues, etc.), regions, genres, and levels of career development. A final comprehensive report outlining the study’s findings and recommendations will be made publicly available at the conclusion of the research later this year at: www.canadianlivemusic.ca.

“Significant disparities exist between the substantial contributions made by IBPOC communities and the alarming lack of actual representation of these communities in the Canadian live music industry; however, until the launch of this study, this knowledge has been largely unquantified” says Erin Benjamin, President & CEO of the Canadian Live Music Association (CLMA). “Thank you to all of our funders, many partners, and industry advisors who have helped to make this project possible. And most importantly, thank you to all of the artists, organizations, and members of the live music community who will share their stories and experiences with us, and help to provide a more detailed picture of the opportunities for, and barriers to, addressing racism and discrimination in the sector.”

The CLMA has been consulting extensively with IBPOC artists, organizations, and community members alongside its project team and advisory committee to ensure that ongoing conversations with a wide range of community perspectives continue to shape the direction and research questions driving the study. To learn more about the project goals and research team, please click here.

“ADVANCE is thrilled to participate as an advisory partner for the Canadian Live Music Association’s ‘Closing the Gap’ research project,” says Keziah Myers, Executive Director of ADVANCE, Canada’s Black Music Business Collective. “ADVANCE has been working closely with the CLMA to address key barriers that limit the progress of Black people in the live music sector. This timely study will provide critical insight and recommendations to help address systemic barriers that exist for Black people in the live music industry. We especially encourage all Black members of the live music community  to take part in this online survey and help contribute to a more diverse future for the live music sector.”

ABOUT THE CANADIAN LIVE MUSIC ASSOCIATION

The Canadian Live Music Association (CLMA) is the voice of Canada’s live music industry. Established in response to an identified need in the music industry, the CLMA represents the full spectrum of the live music sector, including concert promoters, festivals, talent agencies, venues, clubs, arenas, performing arts centres, ticketing companies, industry associations and networks, as well as suppliers to the sector. Its mission is to entrench the economic, social and cultural value of live music – creating the conditions for concerts to thrive, from coast to coast to coast. #ForTheLoveOfLIVE

Funding for this study was provided by FACTOR, Ontario Creates, Creative BC and the Province of BC. For a full list of our project partners, please click here.

CONTACT INFORMATION

Nicole Auger
Canadian Live Music Association
nauger@canadianlivemusic.ca