PRS for Music Foundation has launched a new initiative to empower women in the music industry. Keychange will consist of panels, discussions, creative labs and an innovation fund all aimed at supporting female artists.
The programme will run over the next two years, with 60 participants. Shirley Manson (from indie band Garbage), rock musician Nadine Shah and PRS Foundation chief executive Vanessa Reed are among the industry leaders supporting the project.
Keychange will culminate in 2019 with the presentation of a manifesto to the European Parliament. The manifesto will outline the findings of the project and suggest ways for female representation in music to be increased.
“European and international collaboration is essential to the creative and business development of all talented artists and the music industry’s future success,” said Reed. “Keychange’s focus on enabling more women to access international networks and new markets at critical stages in their career will help them realise their potential as future leaders of an industry that is ready for and will benefit from change.”
Project partners include Reeperbahn Festival, Iceland Airwaves, BIME, Tallinn Music Week, Way Out West, The Great Escape and Mutek. Keychange is supported by European Union’s Creative Europe fund.
The first Keychange panel takes place on 21 September at Reeperbahn Festival in Germany.
