Trinity Laban to address structural racism through partnership with Black Lives in Music

Trinity Laban will be supported by Black Lives in Music (BLiM) to address issues of racism and inclusion and work towards culture change over the next two years.

The partnership includes the commitment to:

• Provide safe spaces for students of African and Caribbean heritages to anonymously discuss their experiences.
• Establish specific funding for students of African and Caribbean heritages.
• Diversify and decolonise the curriculum and repertoire programmed for performances.
• Deliver and monitor the impact of anti-racism training for all Faculty of Music staff members, both on an institutional level via the wider Black Lives Matter Working group, and on a discipline-specific level via departmental delivery.
• Increase the visibility of black staff, students, alumni, fellows and partners across Trinity Laban sites.
• Review staff recruitment and professional development policies within the Faculty of Music.
• Work in partnership with departments and faculties in the institution to address student experiences of microaggressions and structural racism.
• Increase engagement with schools in the boroughs of Lewisham and Greenwich with the aim of encouraging students from non-traditional backgrounds to explore the possibility of a career in music.

The conservatoire will also be supporting The Black Lives in Music survey (blim.org.uk/change), BLiM’s ground-breaking research looking at the issues Black creatives face in the UK. The results of the survey are set to be published in an annual BLiM report in May 2021.

Trinity Laban Principal Anthony Bowne said: 'Trinity Laban believes – unequivocally – that Black lives matter. To uphold our core belief in equality we must examine our structures as an institution and dismantle the inequalities within them.

'We are dedicated to doing this essential work and are excited and proud to be partnering with BLiM to offer a committed route to real change. Through this partnership we can work to meaningfully celebrate, encourage and ensure diversity in our art forms.'

Roger Wilson, co-founder of Black Lives in Music, comments: 'Black Lives in Music is proud to partner in this important work with one of Europe’s leading conservatoires. The issue of diversity in tertiary music education in the UK is distressing but it feels very positive to be addressing this issue with Trinity Laban. 

'To take the first steps requires honesty and introspection, I’m pleased we can now continue on that journey together - to achieve real and meaningful change.'

Trinity Laban joins arts organisations like London Mozart Players and Leeds Conservatoire in working with BLiM and committing to achieving meaningful change that supports the creation of a truly inclusive, diverse and representative music industry.

https://www.trinitylaban.ac.uk/