Music education charity Music Masters has launched its definitive diversity audit tool ‘I’M IN –
the Inclusive Music Index’ following a successful pilot scheme in 2020.

Music Masters was founded in 2008 to “dismantle racism, encourage organisational accountability, and drive systemic change within the music sector.” Their work includes teaching in state primary schools in disadvantaged areas and supporting musical talent from underrepresented backgrounds.

The new tool

Following feedback from last year’s trial where 60 UK music industry organisations participated, the upgraded tool features “new and improved statements to work through and written guides to support good conversation around diversity and inclusion including group facilitation, advice, and coaching questions” as well as “refreshed language for clarity and relevance to a wider range of organisations.”

The tool comprises 10 organisational areas to explore, each of which contains statements “designed to provoke thought and group discussion.” These areas are considered “integral to the day-to-day life of an organisation”. They include motivation, leadership and accountability, operational responsibility, organisational culture, recruitment, managing talent, audience diversity, user experience, marketing and branding, and procurement.

Accessibility options for businesses

The tool is now accessible via two route options; where the first is the ‘I’M IN Independent Route’, which is free and allows for greater accessibility of the audit tool within the music industry.

The second is the ‘I’M IN Supported Route’, which for £750 “provides any music entities who can dedicate budget to the tool with tailored support from an I’M IN Advisor, who will help identify, work through and address any diversity and inclusion challenges that the tool illuminates.”

Music Masters’ CEO Roz De Vile said: “Music Masters is committed to long-term, sustained change to make the music sector a more diverse and inclusive place, not only for now but for future generations of aspiring young musicians, teachers, sound engineers, artistic directors, producers and so many others who will shape the soundtrack to our lives for years to come.

“I am therefore thrilled to launch our diversity and inclusion audit tool, I’M IN – the Inclusive Music Index. Following a pilot with over 60 organisations across the UK music sector, and thanks to expert input from consultancy Included and funding from AlixPartners, Music Masters, has created a tool that can support, challenge, and encourage music organisations to identify, explore and understand areas of inequality within their structures, cultures, processes, and programmes, enabling them to take deep and meaningful action from the inside out.

“The pandemic has exacerbated inequality of access to music for so many, and the music industry
has suffered hugely. But there has never been a better time to build our organisations to be stronger and more inclusive, and so we have decided to offer free access to the I’M IN tool for any organisation working in and with music. Through I’M IN, we aim to build a community of like-minded organisations who will stand together with us to drive positive change.”

To learn more about the tool, click here.