Government to support research into women in music

Joan Burke, Minister Responsible for the Status of Women, is pleased to announce a partnership with Memorial University�s Centre for the Study of Media, Music and Place to advance research relating to potential barriers and opportunities for women in the music industry of Newfoundland and Labrador.

"Women musicians say they are facing systemic barriers that their male counterparts do not encounter," said Minister Burke. "Many female performers have found that even when there is a large pool of female talent available, there is strong evidence that women are hired less often and sometimes for less money. Researching the potential issues will provide better understanding of the opportunities and barriers for women in music."

Some challenges noted to date include differential hiring for public performing events, the increasing global sexualization of the pop music industry, child care, pensions and other systemic issues.

Women from across the province and from all musical genres will meet today with educators, those working in technical support, sound recording and communications, government policy and arts administration to discuss these concerns. They will begin with a session on the challenges faced by women musicians living in this province and will work towards establishing priorities for further research.

"Historically, the participation of men and women in music has been different from one instrument to another, from one genre to another, and from one industry sector to another," said Dr. Beverley Diamond, director for the Centre for the Study of Media, Music and Place. "While women are now active in all facets of the music profession, they continue to encounter challenges relating to training, touring, image, and professional development."

Some expected outcomes for the meeting will be research and recommendations to industry, government and others on addressing the concerns raised, in addition to the establishment of a province-wide network of women in music. This network would allow women to work together to plan future events to celebrate and promote awareness of the contribution of female musicians to the culture of Newfoundland and Labrador.

"I've been involved in many discussions with female performers throughout the years over the problems they face in the music industry here in the province," said Jean Hewson, program director for the Newfoundland and Labrador Folk Festival. "If one thing is clear to me, it is that it is very difficult for individual women to affect the broad sweeping changes that are needed to provide solutions to these problems. This workshop is a great step in the direction of those changes. We will be discussing a wide range of issues, and working together to provide possible solutions. Most importantly, we will be creating a team of women who can work together to resolve their issues as a group."

In this province, women make up approximately 20 per cent of the individual membership of the Music Industry Association of Newfoundland and Labrador and less than five per cent of the membership in bands and groups.

"The Government of Newfoundland and Labrador is committed to advancing women�s access to the social and economic benefits of the province," said Minister Burke. "The cultural industries are a particularly important element of the province�s economic base."

Media contact:
Jacquelyn Howard, Communications, (709) 729-4062, 689-2624
Dr. Beverley Diamond, Memorial University, (709) 737-3701

2005 05 30                             1:50 p.m.