The Scottish Music Industry Association (SMIA) – the membership organisation and innovation agency which exists to strengthen, empower and unite Scotland’s music industry – today announces the appointment of seven members to its inaugural Equalities, Diversity, Inclusion and Access (EDIA) Advisory Group.
The newly-appointed group comprises Jayne Stynes (Chair), Jim Muotune, Beth Black, Sof Staune, Jo D’arc, Ailie Robertson and Kiana Kalantar-Hormozi. Following an open application process and subsequent review period, members were selected based upon their demonstrated connections to their communities, their active participation within Scotland’s music industry and their experience engaging in work around equalities, diversity, inclusivity and accessibility.
The SMIA EDIA Advisory Group, supported by the National Lottery through Creative Scotland, will develop an EDIA Strategy for Scotland’s music industry, including devising the implementation and evaluation methods. The group will meet regularly over the next year to develop the strategy, and will be resourced to engage members of the SMIA and the wider Scottish music industry to contribute to the process. This approach will ensure that more voices from across a diverse range of backgrounds will have a say in the future development priorities for Scotland’s industry.
Robert Kilpatrick, CEO and Creative Director of the Scottish Music Industry Association (SMIA), said: “When we think about industry development, it has to be in a way that is by and for all. Reducing inequality, increasing diversity, enabling inclusion and enhancing access are all essential parts of that journey. Our newly appointed EDIA Advisory Group brings a wealth of lived experience to the SMIA, and their work will be an integral part of not only the SMIA’s strategic direction, but that of the entire Scottish music industry.
“The group’s establishment follows the appointment of an Equalities and Industry Development Officer to the SMIA staff team last year, and I’d like to personally thank Bethany O’Connor for her passion, dedication and commitment to the delivery of this work. I look forward to the SMIA continuing to engage with many of those working across the sector driving cultural change, and to supporting the group as they work to design an EDIA strategy for Scotland’s music industry.”
Kim Simpson, Head of Equalities, Diversity and Inclusion at Creative Scotland, said: “We welcome the recruitment of SMIA’s inaugural EDIA Advisory Group as they continue their mission to connect with and nurture the full diversity of the music sectors of Scotland. Having recently appointed Creative Scotland’s second EDI Advisory Group, we’ve seen and felt the impact these groups can have on how we meet our equalities ambitions. The vision, talent and commitment each member of the newly established SMIA EDIA Advisory Group will bring is certain to be incredibly valuable to shaping equalities practices across Scotland’s music industry.”
The SMIA works to create and nurture an inclusive membership community which reflects the full spectrum of Scotland’s music industry. With a membership of over 4,700 industry professionals, the SMIA gives voice to Scotland’s music sector when speaking to Government, Parliament and development organisations, as well as both produces and supports projects and programmes that stimulate sustainability, domestic and international growth, development and innovation.
The SMIA’s services, projects and events are designed to strengthen and increase the value of Scotland’s music industry both at home and on the world stage; economically, socially and culturally. The organisation’s flagship project – the Scottish Album of the Year (SAY) Award – recently launched for 2024, with eligible album submissions now open at sayaward.com and closing at midnight on Wednesday 31 July. The SAY Award Ceremony 2024 returns to Stirling’s Albert Halls on Thursday 24 October, with one album gaining the coveted title of Scottish Album of the Year along with the £20,000 first prize.
For more information on the Scottish Music Industry Association (SMIA), or to join as a member, please visit smia.org.uk
Keep up-to-date with the SMIA’s journey on Facebook @TheSMIA, Twitter @TheSMIA and Instagram @The_SMIA.
Background
SCOTTISH MUSIC INDUSTRY ASSOCIATION (SMIA)
The Scottish Music Industry Association (SMIA) is a not-for-profit trade body and membership organisation which exists to strengthen, empower and unite Scotland’s music industry.
As a Creative Scotland Regularly Funded Organisation (RFO), we work to create and nurture an inclusive membership community which reflects the full spectrum of Scotland’s music industry. We give voice to our membership when speaking to Government, Parliament and development organisations, and we both produce and support projects and programmes that stimulate sustainability, domestic and international growth, development and innovation in Scotland’s music sector. Our services, projects and events are designed to strengthen and increase the value of Scotland’s music industry both at home and on the world stage; economically, socially and culturally.
For further information on the SMIA and its services, projects and events please visit www.smia.org.uk.
Keep up to date with the SMIA across our social media channels:
Twitter: twitter.com/TheSMIA |Facebook: facebook.com/TheSMIA | Instagram: instagram.com/the_smia
CREATIVE SCOTLAND
Creative Scotland is the public body that supports the arts, screen and creative industries across all parts of Scotland, distributing funding provided by the Scottish Government and The National Lottery. Further information at creativescotland.com. Follow us on X, Facebook and Instagram. Learn more about the value of art and creativity in Scotland and join in at www.ourcreativevoice.scot.
EDIA Advisory Group Members
Jayne Stynes (Chair)
Jayne is a lecturer in Commercial Music at the University of the West of Scotland, and a PhD researcher in the Department of Media and Communications at the University of Leeds. Her professional practice has focused on music management, as well as advocacy and educational work supporting artists and managers. Her current research examines the challenges and opportunities faced by equality initiatives in the UK music industries.
Jim Muotune
Jideofor (J.I.M.) Muotune is a black Scottish creative with a passion for Equality, Diversity and Inclusion.
He is a multi-arts content producer with a background in music as a founding artist and director at one of Scotland's most successful independent labels - Soma Records. Part of the team that discovered Daft Punk, his skill set runs from legal and business affairs through to music, sound and immersive content production. Jideofor values being caring, challenging, pluralistic, experimental and playful across his creative practice and welcomes the opportunity to contribute to improving Equality, Diversity and Inclusion within the Scottish Music Industry. More info - theafrowegian.org
Beth Black
Beth is a musician, project coordinator, CIC director and PhD researcher. Her work focuses on levelling out the music industry and fighting for equal access for disabled people and women. Her phd research looks at access to higher and further education for disabled musicians and she is the co-director for Girls Rock Glasgow who run band-forming workshops for girls+ age 8-16. She also regularly tours with her solo project turned full band ‘flinch.’
Sof Staune
Sof Staune (they/them) is a club promoter and DJ currently working as a Club Programmer in Glasgow's grassroots venue Stereo. Since 2016, Sof's practice lies in facilitating spaces in a club context, particularly for members of Queer community within the electronic music field - promoters, artists and audiences alike. With their work, Sof hopes to encourage a discussion and implementation of safe(r) space policies and welfare approaches within nightlife and beyond.
Jo D'arc
Jo is a musician, producer/DJ, artist and writer currently based in Glasgow, where Jo is also a committed community worker and activist. Jo’s current music projects are The Twistettes, Minerva Wakes and Girobabies which range in style from punk to electronica.
Ailie Robertson
Ailie Robertson is a performer, composer, arranger and educator, based on the west coast of Scotland. She works across the folk, classical and electronic genres, with a diverse range of organisations and participants.
Kiana Kalantar-Hormozi
Kiana is an artist who debuted her singing/songwriting career in 2022, with her single, Sirens. She is currently focusing on recording music and working on new singles as well as tracks for her 1st EP.
Media contact
For further information, please contact Colette Baptie ([email protected]) and/or [email protected].