At Creative Access, we have over 10 years’ experience in the diversity, equity and inclusion (DE&I) space, pioneering bespoke programmes so that people from under-represented backgrounds in the creative sectors can thrive. We also help employers ensure that not only does their company reflect society, but that they are able to provide the best support for all employees by building inclusive cultures.
This is all to say, we’ve seen a lot of trends, discussions, debates and movements over the past 11 years. Here are our expert and data-backed predictions about the future direction/priorities of DE&I in 2024.
Organisations that invest in diversity will perform better
Between spending cuts and the increasing cost of living, lots of creative organisations are having to tighten their purse strings. However, it would be unwise to put vital diversity and inclusion services on the backburner.
A recent McKinsey report (Diversity Matters Even More, McKinsey & Company, Nov 2023) found that companies in top quartile for ethnic diversity do 27% financially better than their competitors. Similarly, they also found that good gender and ethnic representation in executive teams makes organisations more likely to outperform their peers.
Meanwhile, our own data shows that only 38% of employers admit to having a DE&I strategy in place. This means the vast majority do not, and we’re seeing the knock-on impact by way of increased poor mental health and a lack of career progression optimism from under-represented groups without support. This data shows that employers need to take action to invest in the most impactful areas to acquire, develop & retain diverse talent.
Shifting ideas around neurodiversity in the workplace
In 2024, employers will have to look at their mental wellbeing, reasonable adjustments and support policies.
Whilst delivering training across the UK in 2023, we saw an increase in the need for mental health and wellbeing sessions. We also observed a significant uptake in employers requiring neurodiversity training, with our Embracing Neurodiversity session being the most popular workshop in 2023.
Why? With NHS diagnosis waiting lists up to 24 months long, a shortage of ADHD medication, and increasing awareness of neurodivergent conditions in the UK, people are more likely than ever to self-diagnose or identify as neurodivergent in 2024. Employers that receive training on how to navigate these issues and best support their staff will hugely benefit.
Global issues will make corporations reflect on their wellbeing practices
Much like during the pandemic and the Black Lives Matter movement, crises happening across the globe in 2023 have highlighted a lot of collective pain. 2024 will bring about continued global conversations around these issues and the workplace will have to find ways to respond and prioritise employees’ emotional wellbeing.
These conversations need to be taken seriously and handled with empathy, and there is no quick fix to complex problems around the world and within the UK. As an employer, it’s not your job to change the world, but you can help your employees feel supported as they navigate it.
Our trainer and diversity consultant Elonka Soros, says: “A DE&I consultancy session can help those responsible for leading the change to take stock and identify the best course of post-training action.
Taking an honest look at any in-training feedback about where your company is now and helping you plan for where you want to be by the end of the year. You won’t be able to do everything in twelve months, so don’t set yourself up to fail by promising to do so. Colleagues are less forgiving of pledges and statements that are not followed through. “
AI will change the way we work… but not in the way you think
It wouldn’t be a trend piece without us touching on AI. Much has been debated in the past year since the rapid rise of programmes such as Chat GPT. With think-pieces proclaiming the end of creativity, bolstering the very scary threat to jobs.
However, despite this threat, we can use AI to help us work smarter through optimising writing or content creation and helping us save time. In the next year, we’ll see an increase in job roles dedicated to harnessing the convenience of AI and embedding it into creative practices in the creative industries.
However, it’s important to recognise that AI doesn’t account for representation and has its own biases. Programmes like Chat GPT draw its answers from existing information on the internet which – you guessed it – is heavily skewed towards a white, male, privileged voice. This therefore means there are ultimately gaps in how ‘diverse’ or ‘inclusive’, or well-balanced, its conclusions are.
If you’re interested in prioritising diversity and inclusion in 2024, you can find out more about our services here.
The Mo Siewcharran Fund has awarded its latest round of grants to five outstanding, creative organisations across theatre, music, dance and the arts: BoyBlue, MAYK, Platform, Good Chance Theatre, and the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra.
The Fund was set up six years ago in memory of Nielsen Books’ former director of marketing and communications, Mo Siewcharran, by her husband, John Seaton and is administered by leading diversity and inclusion social enterprise, Creative Access.
Mo Siewcharran was passionate about ensuring theatre, publishing and the arts were accessible to all and the grant funds internships for talent from Black, Asian and other ethnically diverse backgrounds to improve accessibility and representation in the creative industries.
This round includes the awarding of funds to train an individual from a refugee and migrant background who will gain paid experience in the arts, via Good Chance Theatre.
Impact of the Fund
Since the Fund started in 2018, it has supported 40 Black, Asian and ethnically-diverse trainees in publishing, theatre and music across the UK.
On this latest round of recipients, founder of the Fund, John Seaton said:
“From two different theatres, to an arts centre, from classical music to hip-hop, the range of companies the Mo Siewcharran Fund is assisting in the latest round is exhilarating. It could hardly be more diverse. And yet these companies, located in Bristol, Glasgow and London, are united in one crucial aim: to make the workplace in the creative industries fairer and more accessible to the under-represented. My thanks to these brilliant companies for their pursuit of that challenge and to Creative Access for the vital role they play in the process.”
The grants contribute to the salary of an intern for a six-month traineeship, and trainees benefit from a full programme of support from Creative Access to ensure that they thrive in their new role.
This year’s list of recipients includes the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra. With a mission to enrich lives through orchestral experiences that are uncompromising in their excellence and inclusive in their appeal, James Williams, Managing director said:
“Having an intern in the RPO has proved to be a hugely beneficial relationship for both us and the successful candidate. Interns are catalysts for innovation, bringing vitality and diverse insights. Their contributions extend beyond the present, shaping the very fabric of our organisation. This invaluable experience not only enriches their skills but also serves as a pivotal stepping stone for their future careers in the dynamic realm of music. We are immensely grateful to the Mo Siewcharran Memorial Fund and to Creative Access for their support and we look forward to working with them over the course of 2024 and beyond”
Platform, an arts centre in Glasgow’s east end, offers a year-round programme of performance, music, visual arts and participation, and brings together communities and artists. The trainee at Platform will gain hands-on experience as Performing arts and communities producer. Upon receiving the grant, Creative director Matt Addicott said:
“We are delighted that our application for a Mo Siewcharran grant to support an intern from an under-represented community has been successful. We are committed to increasing opportunities for people who are under-represented in the arts and look forward to working with Creative Access to recruit and support the role here at Platform as part of our programme team.”
Another recipient whose work embraces different creative disciplines to reach communities, is London-based theatre and arts charity Good Chance Theatre. The trainee at Good Chance will enter its Stage Door programme as Admin and production assistant. Hannah Harding, Development and communications manager, said:
“The continued support of the Mo Siewcharran Fund has been transformative, allowing us to reach further in our efforts to radically improve accessibility and opportunities in the industry for people seeking sanctuary in the UK – a mission deeply aligned with that of Creative Access – and challenge harmful narratives about refugees. Thank you to both Creative Access and the Mo Siewcharran fund for their unfaltering belief in the programme and efforts to help us make the industry more reflective of our wonderfully diverse country.”
The Fund is proud to support organisations across the UK, including Bristol-based live performance organisation, MAYK, which makes space for a holistic, long-term approach to creating memorable experiences that are accessible to lots of people. The trainee at MAYK will learn how to produce live events, as Assistant producer. Co-director Matthew Austin said:
“We are so thrilled to receive support from the Mo Siewcharran Fund and Creative Access. We care deeply about opening up new routes into the cultural sector for young people who are often excluded from opportunities, and this funding will help us offer a supportive, creative context in which new talent can thrive.”
Also receiving the Fund is hip-hop dance theatre company, BoyBlue. Shaped by a multi-generational, multicultural community, this east London based company will host a trainee administrator. The trainee at BoyBlue will learn the ins and outs of operating an arts charity. BoyBlue’s Executive director, Jo Stendall said:
“We are pleased to partner with Creative Access to provide a trainee position within Boy Blue and are very grateful to the Mo Siewcharran Fund for supporting this appointment. The training and support programme that is provided by Creative Access was a key factor in our decision to apply to this fund and we look forward to the process of meeting our new colleague.”
Announcement:
Creative Access and John Seaton welcome applications for the next round of the Mo Siewcharran Fund, which is open to theatre, publishing or music organisations wishing to support internships for those from under-represented communities.
Those interested in applying should contact lucy@creativeaccess.org.uk. The deadline for the next round of applications is Friday 28th June 2024.
Senior figures from the sector have been recognised in the King’s New Year Honours list, including the co-founder of Creative Access, Josie Dobrin. Read the article.
Josie Dobrin, Jilly Cooper, Charlie Mackesy and Alexander McCall Smith are among figures in the publishing industry awarded New Year Honours, reports The Bookseller. If you have a subscription to this title, you can read the article here.