Over 45 organisations spanning Scotland’s commercial, grassroots and publicly funded music sector have pledged support ahead of launch, with individuals and organisations across the sector invited to become signatories.
The Scottish Music Industry Association (SMIA) today launches 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. While the Manifesto sets out five core pledges for the future development of the industry, the accompanying Action Framework translates those principles into practical delivery through a series of commitments focused on investment, training and feedback.
Ahead of today’s public launch, over 45 organisations from across Scotland’s music industry have already committed their support as founding signatories. Together, they represent a broad cross-section of Scotland’s music ecosystem, spanning the commercial, grassroots and publicly funded sectors.
Founding signatories include organisations such as 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, reflecting the breadth of support the initiative has already secured across Scotland’s music ecosystem. A full list of founding signatories is available on the SMIA website, with additional signatories added and updated regularly as more individuals and organisations commit to the Scottish Music EDIA Manifesto.
Founding signatories were secured through a structured pre-launch engagement phase involving organisations and individuals who contributed to the development of the Manifesto and Action Framework, 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 initiative is now open to all individuals and organisations working across Scotland’s music industry, who are invited to become signatories and commit to its shared vision.
The launch of the Scottish Music EDIA Manifesto and Action Framework marks a significant milestone in the SMIA’s ongoing work to strengthen, empower and unite Scotland’s music industry. While many individuals, organisations and communities have been leading important EDIA work for years, the documents seek to build upon that activity by providing a shared framework and practical pathway for collective action across the sector.
The Manifesto is underpinned by five core commitments: to uphold care as a foundational principle; to recognise Scotland’s music industry as a network of interconnected ecosystems; to treat EDIA as essential and foundational to the sector’s future success; to build a culture where feedback is welcomed and power is used responsibly; and to recognise and celebrate the diversity of lived experience that exists 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 the SMIA will provide to help translate ambition into action.
To support implementation, the SMIA has curated an accompanying Action Framework in Practice guide alongside resources and toolkits designed to help signatories implement the framework in ways that are meaningful and proportionate to their own circumstances. Over the coming months, the organisation will also roll out a programme of activity linked to the framework, including self-mobilisation microgrants, training and learning opportunities and avenues for peer learning and engagement.
Robert Kilpatrick, CEO and Creative Director, Scottish Music Industry Association (SMIA), said: “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.
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. I’m confident that if, as a sector, we can embrace what’s outlined, we’ll move the dial and be better for it.
I want to acknowledge and thank everyone who’s played an invaluable role in the development of these documents, as well as the many individuals, organisations and communities who have spent years, often thanklessly, challenging inequality and widening access across Scotland’s music industry.
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. It gives us the opportunity to reflect, improve and be better. That’s the commitment we’ve made as an organisation, and one we hope many others across the sector will join us in.”
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.”
Individuals and organisations working across Scotland’s music industry are now invited to become signatories of the Scottish Music EDIA Manifesto and commit to its vision and principles. To learn more, read the documents and become a signatory, visit our webpage here.