Socio-Economic Diversity and Inclusion in the arts: a toolkit for employers
The research paper highlights the need for continued efforts to achieve greater diversity and inclusion in the arts sector in England, despite the implementation of a new toolkit to help progress this objective. The paper emphasizes that fair access to working in the arts remains one of the most urgent issues facing the sector, as those from lower socio-economic backgrounds are still vastly underrepresented amongst the artists and employees of UK theatres, festivals, galleries, and arts organizations.
Recent research has shown that this "class crisis" has deepened, with chronic issues of socio-economic underrepresentation persisting. The paper notes that individuals from higher socio-economic backgrounds are currently overrepresented in most creative occupations, particularly in leadership roles. There is strong evidence that those from lower socio-economic backgrounds are more likely to face barriers in accessing opportunities and breaking into the arts, often due to lacking the right networks, cultural references, and knowledge to navigate the sector.
The toolkit aims to support long-term change by providing guidance, expert support, and encouraging an intersectional approach to equality, diversity and inclusion. It emphasizes the importance of monitoring socio-economic background data, creating spaces for critical discussions about concepts like "talent" and "merit", and implementing inclusive recruitment practices that remove barriers for candidates from diverse backgrounds.
The paper argues that without socio-economic background being recognized as a "protected characteristic" like gender or ethnicity, it will remain an underresearched and underfunded "hidden barrier" in the arts. However, the case for change is not just about fairness - there is also evidence that increasing socio-economic diversity can lead to more relevant, engaging, and outstanding artistic endeavors that better reflect contemporary society.
The toolkit provides a range of practical recommendations and case studies to support arts organizations in taking meaningful action to advance socio-economic diversity and inclusion. It challenges all organizations to set ambitious goals and act with rigor and pragmatism, as the rewards could be significant - from increased social equality to a more representative artistic community and higher quality, more diverse cultural output.
