GLASGOW (CelebrityAccess) — The Scottish Music Industry Association (SMIA), an industry trade group designed to amplify Scotland’s music industry, announced the appointment of seven members to the inaugural Equalities, Diversity, Inclusion and Access (EDIA) Advisory Group.
The members of the newly-appointed group include Jayne Stynes (Chair), Jim Muotune, Beth Black, Sof Staune, Jo D’arc, Ailie Robertson and Kiana Kalantar-Hormozi, who were selected based on their connections to the community and participation in the industry.
The group will meet regularly over the next year to develop an EDIA strategy for the Scottish music industry and to engage with stakeholders to encourage participation.
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.”
