--- title: "Music Festivals, Conferences Make Push for Gender Equality" id: "41662" type: "post" slug: "music-festivals-conferences-make-push-for-gender-equality" published_at: "2018-02-27T21:30:08+00:00" modified_at: "2026-03-16T21:26:46+00:00" url: "https://associationsnow.com/2018/02/27/music-festivals-conferences-make-push-for-gender-equality/" markdown_url: "https://associationsnow.com/2018/02/27/music-festivals-conferences-make-push-for-gender-equality.md" excerpt: "An international group of music festivals and industry events have signed on to a plan, put together by the PRS Foundation’s Keychange program, to ensure 50/50 representation of male and female artists and speakers at conferences and shows." taxonomy_category: - "Conscious Inclusion" taxonomy_post_tag: - "age inclusion" - "AssociationsNow" - "festivals" - "gender equity" - "industry partners" - "Meetings" taxonomy_content_format: - "Article" taxonomy_role: - "Association CEO / Executive Director" - "C-Level" - "Director" - "Executive Team" taxonomy_persona: - "Industry Professionals" --- [Home](https://associationsnow.com/) » [Articles](https://associationsnow.com/format/article/) » Music Festivals, Conferences Make Push for Gender Equality A significant chunk of the music industry is joining forces to take on the issue of gender equality. This week, a coalition of 45 international music festivals, conferences, and other events [announced that they would implement a plan (opens in a new tab)](https://pitchfork.com/news/30-music-festivals-pledge-gender-equal-lineups-by-2022/) to work toward introducing a 50/50 gender balance at the events by 2022. The initiative is the work of the [International Keychange (opens in a new tab)](http://keychange.eu/) gender equality initiative, an effort put together by the United Kingdom’s [PRS Foundation (opens in a new tab)](http://prsfoundation.com/) , which helps to fund and develop musical talent in the country. But while the PRS Foundation has traditionally focused on the UK market, Keychange is an initiative that’s global in spirit, and the campaign has drawn support from a number of events in the U.S., Canada, and throughout Europe. Among the North American festivals taking part are Canada’s North By Northeast, Canadian Music Week, MUTEK, and BreakOut West, as well as U.S.-based A2IM Indie Week and NYC Winter Jazzfest. Some of these events are focused on the industry itself; others, like the Toronto-based North By Northeast, have festival components that draw hundreds of thousands of people each year. In a news release, PRS Foundation CEO Vanessa Reed noted that the move for gender equality in the music industry is timed with the 100-year anniversary of some women being given voting rights in the United Kingdom. “100 years on, the push for gender parity across society continues and with increased public awareness of inequalities across the creative industries we have an opportunity to respond and commit to tangible change in music,” [she noted in her statement (opens in a new tab)](http://keychange.eu/blog/45-international-music-festivals-conferences-pledge-tackle-gender-inequality/) . “The Keychange network of female artists and industry professionals and the festival partners’ idea of establishing a collective pledge will significantly accelerate change. I hope that this will be the start of a more balanced industry which will result in benefits for everyone.” The American Association of Independent Music , the trade group that puts on A2IM Indie Week, also spoke out in support of the approach, with the group’s Richard James Burgess stating in the press release: “A2IM is committed to gender equality in all its endeavors and is excited to partner with PRS Foundation’s Keychange. Now is the time!” Beyond the festival initiative, Keychange is also working to support female artists and innovators in the music industry. Working with an array of industry partners, the artists will be invited to participate in a variety of international festivals and events put on by the organization. (PeopleImages/E+/Getty Images Plus) [Ernie Smith](https://associationsnow.com/author/ernie-smith/) Ernie Smith is a former senior editor for Associations Now. [More articles by this author](https://associationsnow.com/author/ernie-smith/) Tags: [#age inclusion](https://associationsnow.com/tag/age-inclusion/) [#festivals](https://associationsnow.com/tag/festivals/) [#gender equity](https://associationsnow.com/tag/gender-equity/) [#industry partners](https://associationsnow.com/tag/industry-partners/) [#Meetings](https://associationsnow.com/tag/meetings/) **Stay Informed** [Subscribe to our free newsletter](https://associationsnow.com/newsletter/) , *Associations Now Daily News*, to find out what’s happening in the association world every business day. ## You Might Like - [PodcastAssociations NOW Presents: All for the Love of Chicago: Rethinking the Destination ExperienceSeptember 10, 2026](https://associationsnow.com/2026/09/10/associations-now-presents-all-for-the-love-of-chicago-rethinking-the-destination-experience/) - [VideoExploring New Frontiers: Leadership, Resilience and the Future of SpaceflightAugust 27, 2026](https://associationsnow.com/2026/08/27/exploring-new-frontiers-leadership-resilience-and-the-future-of-spaceflight/) - [PodcastAssociations NOW Presents: Industry Partner Edition-Sponsorships That Deliver Real ValueJuly 9, 2026](https://associationsnow.com/2026/07/09/associations-now-presents-industry-partner-edition-sponsorships-that-deliver-real-value/) - [Video2025 Sponsorship Recap VideoJune 17, 2026](https://associationsnow.com/2026/06/17/2025-sponsorship-recap-video/) ## Comments **Comments are for ASAE members.** [Learn more about comments on this site.](https://associationsnow.com/comments/) [Log in](https://associationsnow.com/login?redirect_to=https%3A%2F%2Fassociationsnow.com%2F2018%2F02%2F27%2Fmusic-festivals-conferences-make-push-for-gender-equality%2F%23comments) to your member account or [join ASAE](https://my.asaecenter.org/select-a-membership-type/) !