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Scottish Music Sector Unites Behind EDIA Framework
June21
The Scottish Music Industry Association (SMIA) has launched the Scottish Music EDIA (Equity, Diversity, Inclusion and Accessibility) Manifesto and Action Framework, a new sector-wide initiative designed to help build a more equitable, diverse, inclusive and accessible Scottish music industry by 2030.
Supported by Creative Scotland, the Scottish Music EDIA Manifesto and Action Framework were developed over a two-year period through the SMIA’s independent EDIA Advisory Group and consultation with stakeholders from across Scotland’s music ecosystem. The Manifesto sets out five core pledges for the future development of the industry, while the accompanying Action Framework outlines practical commitments focused on investment, training and feedback.
Ahead of the public launch, more than 45 organisations from across Scotland’s commercial, grassroots and publicly funded music sectors pledged their support as founding signatories. These include the Musicians’ Union, 432 Presents, 677 Media Management, UP2STNDRD, Ponyboy, Sneaks Events CIC, Wide Events CIC, Hen Hoose Collective, Mamba Sounds, Aberdeen Performing Arts, HebCelt Festival, Drake Music Scotland, Edinburgh Jazz and Blues Festival and The National Piping Centre.
The initiative was developed following a structured pre-launch engagement process involving organisations and individuals who contributed to the development of the documents, members of the Music Organisation Development Network (MODN), highly engaged SMIA members and previous nominees of the Scottish Album of the Year (SAY) Award. The Manifesto is now open to individuals and organisations across Scotland’s music industry.
According to the SMIA, the launch marks a milestone in its ongoing efforts to strengthen, empower and unite Scotland’s music sector. The organisation said the documents are intended to build upon existing EDIA work already taking place across the industry by providing a shared framework and practical pathway for collective action.
The Manifesto is built around five core commitments: upholding care as a foundational principle; recognising Scotland’s music industry as a network of interconnected ecosystems; treating EDIA as essential to the sector’s future success; building a culture where feedback is welcomed and power is used responsibly; and recognising and celebrating the diversity of lived experience across Scotland’s music communities.
The accompanying Action Framework calls on signatories to commit to ongoing EDIA-related investment, training and feedback, while outlining the support that the SMIA will provide to help organisations translate ambition into action.
To support implementation, the SMIA has also developed an Action Framework in Practice guide, together with resources and toolkits designed to help signatories apply the framework in ways that are meaningful and proportionate to their circumstances. Planned activity over the coming months includes self-mobilisation microgrants, training and learning opportunities, and peer-learning initiatives.
“Scottish culture is our collective story. It belongs to all of us, and everyone should have the opportunity to shape it. It’s this belief that underpins the Scottish Music EDIA Manifesto and Action Framework, and it’s why this work matters,” said Robert Kilpatrick, CEO and Creative Director of the SMIA.
“Throughout the development of these documents, we’ve been challenged to question assumptions, sit with discomfort and be honest about where both the SMIA as an organisation and Scotland’s music industry as a whole needs to do better. We haven’t approached this work from a position of having all the answers, and these documents are in no way meant to be presented as a final solution. Instead, our aim was to provide a shared foundation for how we can learn, grow and move forward together as Scotland’s music industry.”
Kilpatrick added: “There’s still a long way to go, but we’re committed to this work for the long term. We know that meaningful progress requires humility, and that means listening, welcoming feedback and recognising that critique – even when it makes us uncomfortable – is important, if not essential, for growth.”
Jayne Stynes, Chair of the SMIA EDIA Advisory Group (2024-26), said: “The Scottish music industry is full of creativity, innovation and goodwill, but good intentions alone are not enough to build environments that are truly equitable, inclusive and accessible.”
“Drawing on the expertise of the EDIA Advisory Group, and in consultation with the sector, the SMIA have created this Manifesto and Action Framework to help make the music industry – and the communities within it – a safer, more equitable place. It’s not about claiming we have all the answers; rather, these resources offer a practical, optimistic invitation: to take specific, meaningful action on EDIA, engage with the support available through the SMIA, and work collectively towards a more inclusive Scottish music ecosystem.”
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